The Oath of Love Recap, Plot, Synopsis

The Oath of Love Synopsis

Lin Zhixiao, a young girl about to graduate from the music department, does not want to plan her life according to her father's arrangement and wants to stick to her dream of music, but her father is hospitalized with cancer. At this moment, she meets Gu Wei, who is at a low point in his career and wants to give up his career as a surgeon.

Lin Zhixiao's qualities of resilience and optimism impressed Gu Wei, and Gu Wei is always like a light, quietly warming Lin Zhixiao.

They experience the sweetness of love as well as the sweetness and sourness of growing up. But no matter what kind of difficulties they encounter, they do not give up easily but try to make themselves better, firmly approach each other and commit the rest of their lives.

The Oath of Love Recap

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Before meeting Gu Wei, Lin Zhixiao's life was full of monotony. Every day, she walked across the familiar campus, sat in the practice room plucking cello strings, and dreamed about an unpredictable future. With graduation only a year away, it was her final sprint to realize her dreams. Her father, Lin Jianguo, a highly experienced teacher, failed when it came to educating his daughter.

His overly strict, old-fashioned, and even authoritarian attitude often led to conflicts with Lin Zhixiao, eventually triggering her rebellious nature. On the day of filling out college applications, Lin Zhixiao resolutely chose to major in music, specializing in cello. She would occasionally participate in orchestra activities. If nothing unexpected happened, she could rely on this skill to support herself. Even if her elders couldn't understand her, at least she wouldn’t be controlled by her father's tyranny.

Too bad no one can predict the next moment or foresee what lies ahead. After the spring performance at Huaqing University concluded, Lin Zhixiao was disappointed not to see her parents in the audience. She quickly composed herself when a friend invited her to dinner, agreeing to meet at a bar. Coincidentally, Gu Wei also received a call from his cousin Gu Xiao at that time, just after finishing his hospital rounds.

Becoming the chief surgeon at the Gastroenterology Center at such a young age made Gu Wei one of the few outstanding young talents at Huaqing Hospital. Many patients even introduced their daughters to him. However, everyone knew that the gastroenterologist Gao Xi was his best match—his longtime classmate and colleague, and the daughter of the vice president. It would be hard for any man to resist such a favorable match.

In daily life, Gu Wei was a serious, highly capable, and meticulous person. However, a past medical accident left an indelible shadow on him. He eventually decided to give up clinical work and applied for a transfer to another department. Gao Xi opposed the decision immediately, caring deeply about Gu Wei’s aspirations and not wanting him to regret it later. Dragged to the bar by Gu Xiao, Gu Wei maintained his self-discipline even in the noisy environment.

He didn’t touch a drop of alcohol and sat quietly, showing no interest in the young women around. Instead, he used his doctor's perspective to logically analyze their physical conditions. In contrast, Gu Xiao, a rich second-generation kid, was a frequent bar-goer in the big city. He hoped this outing would help Gu Wei loosen up and enjoy youthful fun.

But Gu Wei’s clinical demeanor remained unchanged, disappointing Gu Xiao, who eventually left him at the table and went to flirt with girls at the bar. At the bar entrance, Lin Zhixiao ran into her long-lost classmate Xiao Shan, who had just returned from studying abroad. Naturally, Xiao Shan eagerly reached out to her old friend, and the two besties vowed not to go home until they were drunk.

Meanwhile, Lin Jianguo, upset that his daughter hadn't returned home late at night, checked her social media and found out she had gone to a "filthy" place like a bar. Due to his extremely conservative mindset, Lin Jianguo rushed out in his coat after seeing the photos, eventually making his way to the bar. He felt very out of place in that environment. Supported by Xiao Shan, Lin Zhixiao staggered toward the exit.

Just before stepping out, she unexpectedly spotted her father looking around nearby. Frightened, Xiao Shan turned and ran. Lin Zhixiao sobered up quickly and, in a panic, sat in front of Gu Wei with her back to Lin Jianguo. Gu Wei assumed Lin Zhixiao was one of Gu Xiao’s friends and didn’t pay much attention. He casually mentioned that Gu Xiao had just left and continued packing up to settle the bill.

Seeing her father approaching, Lin Zhixiao rushed over to Gu Wei again and hurriedly grabbed his coat, trying to hide herself. Gu Wei was baffled by her behavior and instinctively tried to take back his coat. In their tug-of-war, they both fell onto the sofa, completely catching Lin Jianguo’s attention. Hearing Lin Jianguo call her name, Lin Zhixiao stood up with gritted teeth. Out of spite, she announced that she and Gu Wei were a couple.

Lin Jianguo believed her and scolded her for keeping bad company. Gu Wei couldn’t stand the accusation and immediately clarified that there was no such relationship. That night, Lin Zhixiao returned home with her father, repeatedly stating that she had no interest in becoming a teacher through postgraduate studies. Her biggest dream was to become a cellist and develop a career in the music industry.

However, Lin Jianguo couldn’t accept it at all, scolding her for being lazy and unaccomplished, completely ignoring her efforts. Gu Xiao originally planned to give his cousin a ride but was distracted by Xiao Shan. Choosing love over friendship, he abandoned Gu Wei and went to chat with her, successfully getting her contact information. Gu Wei returned to the dorm alone, forgetting the night’s unpleasantness. Seeing the transfer application in his book, he felt deeply troubled.

The next morning, Lin Zhixiao found her father's medical exam report. Her mother’s evasive behavior aroused her suspicion, so she followed her to Huaqing Hospital and secretly took photos of Lin Jianguo's medical record. Gu Wei caught her in the act and was about to call hospital security when Lin Zhixiao quickly leaned in to distract him and slipped away. Based on the current examination report, it was likely a gastric ulcer.

However, Gu Wei had an ominous feeling after repeatedly checking the scans. He called Lin Zhixiao’s mother and revealed his identity, stating that Lin Jianguo’s gastric condition could potentially develop into cancer. He recommended hospitalization for observation and treatment depending on the situation. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Lin Zhixiao’s mother quickly packed essentials and arranged a taxi to take Lin Jianguo to the hospital. Unexpectedly, Lin Jianguo left halfway without informing them.

To trick him into returning, Lin Zhixiao and her mother staged a drama, pretending she had acute appendicitis and needed surgery. At first, Lin Jianguo didn’t believe it but became uneasy after a while and rushed to the hospital. While Lin Zhixiao’s mother went to the front desk for admission procedures, she continued pretending to be a patient and clung to Lin Jianguo, refusing to let go.

At that moment, Gu Wei passed by and immediately recognized them as father and daughter. He unceremoniously exposed Lin Zhixiao’s fake illness. When Lin Jianguo and Lin Zhixiao saw Gu Wei remove his mask, they both exclaimed in surprise.

Though they didn’t know each other before, their chance encounter at the bar led to further interaction. Because the first impression was terrible, Lin Zhixiao couldn’t trust Gu Wei and insisted that Gao Xi was her father’s attending doctor. Even though Gu Wei repeatedly explained that he and Gao Xi were colleagues and he had the right to understand Lin Jianguo’s condition, she remained unconvinced. At that moment, Gao Xi entered and, as always, defended Gu Wei.

After the Lin family left, she reminded Gu Wei that he shouldn’t interfere with someone else’s diagnosis. Although Gu Wei might have acted out of goodwill, patients often struggle to accept reality. Medical disputes might arise, and if reporters were involved, the hospital’s and doctors’ reputations could be ruined. Gu Wei didn’t overthink it and simply considered the patient's condition. He comforted Gao Xi, asking her not to get worked up.

Since Lin Jianguo had severe gastric ulcers, hospitalization was necessary for observation and treatment. As for Gao Xi’s efforts to retain Gu Wei in the department, they were in vain. Gu Wei had firmly decided to transfer, and no one could change his mind. Compared to the father and daughter’s tough stance, Lin Zhixiao’s mother leaned more toward Gu Wei’s viewpoint. Sitting on the staircase, she sighed that she worried too much for the family.

In fact, she was indirectly pressuring Lin Jianguo to undergo further tests. Seeing his wife cry, Lin Jianguo quickly grabbed the hospital gown and promised to cooperate with the treatment. Lin Zhixiao joined in agreement. The department head held an impromptu doctor’s meeting, asking each attending physician to present their patients’ cases. When it was Dr. Yan’s turn, he asked Gu Wei to share his thoughts. Gu Wei refuted Dr.

Yan’s diagnosis and offered a reasonable alternative, earning the director’s praise before the meeting ended. Lin Zhixiao came to Gu Wei to inquire about her father’s condition but overheard Dr. Yan's sarcastic remarks at the door. He implied that Gu Wei rose through nepotism, as the vice president’s future son-in-law, casting doubt on his abilities. Meanwhile, Gu Xiao brought flowers to his date with Xiao Shan, but she mysteriously left after a phone call, making him even more curious.

After learning Gu Wei’s secret, Lin Zhixiao became more prejudiced, convinced he was a hypocritical doctor who pretended to care about patients but was driven by self-interest. Gu Wei didn’t care about her opinion and was used to such judgments. He went to see the vice president with his application. The deputy vice president believed Gu Wei was a surgical talent.

He was sure that if their late mentor Liang Zhou were still alive, he wouldn’t want Gu Wei to impulsively switch departments. He decided to hold onto the application for now and would consider forwarding it only if Gu Wei insisted again. As his transfer wasn’t approved, Gu Wei was frustrated and returned to his office. Seeing the notes Liang Zhou gave him made him feel even more conflicted.

When Gu Wei took out his surgical tools, strange sounds filled his mind, and his hands trembled uncontrollably. Despite the time that had passed, he still couldn’t overcome his trauma and dared not face his mentor’s widow, only watching her silently from a distance. Unbeknownst to him, she had already noticed him. Unable to resist his wife’s persuasion, Lin Jianguo was finally admitted to the hospital. When it came to choosing an attending physician, Lin Zhixiao was unsure.

That night, she called Xiao Shan from the rooftop, hoping she could find a reliable gastroenterology expert. Xiao Shan promised to find someone suitable, and Gu Xiao, overhearing the conversation, immediately mentioned that he knew a doctor and could make an introduction. That night during the hospital stay, Lin Zhixiao sent her mother home to rest and stayed behind to care for her father. After visiting hours, Dr.

Du found Lin Zhixiao still waiting outside and kindly let her into the doctors’ lounge. Later that night, Gu Wei came in to change clothes and unexpectedly ran into Lin Zhixiao. Knowing her character, he didn’t scold her and simply let her stay while he spent the night in his office chair. The next morning, Lin Zhixiao noticed a note on the desk along with an ice pack and a layman-friendly medical book. Thinking Dr.

Du had left them, she thanked him, leaving him completely confused. Gu Wei got a call from Gu Xiao and initially didn’t want to go, but upon learning the requester was Lin Jianguo’s daughter, he reluctantly agreed to meet. Lin Zhixiao and Xiao Shan arrived at the café first. While Gu Xiao went to pick someone up, they gossiped about Dr. Gu. In Lin Zhixiao’s view, Gu Wei was just a pretty face who rose through connections.

Unluckily, Gu Wei overheard her words. Xiao Shan, embarrassed, pulled Gu Xiao aside to scold him. Caught between his cousin and his crush, Gu Xiao had no choice but to suffer in silence. Gu Wei calmly sat down to talk with Lin Zhixiao. He couldn’t understand why she was so prejudiced, judging him based on hearsay and deciding he was an unreliable doctor.

He shared the story of the Khwarezmian messenger to explain that people shouldn’t be as arbitrary as kings. As a family member, she should be the one who best understands Lin Jianguo’s health. Back at the hospital, Lin Zhixiao learned that the boy in the next bed, Qiu Qiu, had a serious condition and needed immediate surgery. Unfortunately, his family couldn’t afford it and had decided to discharge him.

After spending time with Qiu Qiu, Lin Zhixiao grew fond of him and suggested her parents donate money. Dr. Du brought a bank card to Qiu Qiu’s mother. It contained Gu Wei’s personal salary and donations he had collected—enough to cover the surgery. Lin Zhixiao was shocked. In her mind, Gu Wei was cold, expressionless, and selfish. Dr. Du immediately defended Gu Wei. Suddenly, a commotion erupted in the hallway.

Lin Zhixiao looked over and saw Gu Wei leading a team of doctors and nurses into Qiu Qiu’s room, efficiently managing the situation. Her impression of him was completely overturned. Because it was urgent, Gu Wei returned to the operating table as the chief surgeon. Though the operation was successful, he still trembled after leaving the OR, unable to suppress his lingering fear.

Lin Jianguo had begun coughing up blood, and likewise, Lin Zhixiao could clearly sense something was wrong. However, she knew her father's temperament well, so after much consideration, she decided to try persuading him to undergo another examination. Unfortunately, Lin Jianguo insisted that he was fine, unwilling to face the truth, and even became furious, shouting his daughter out of the room.

At that moment, Gu Wei happened to pass by the ward and saw Lin Zhixiao coming out of the room crying. Lin Jianguo went alone to the front desk to ask the nurse for paper and pen, insisting on being discharged. Seeing this, Gu Wei stepped forward to remind Lin Jianguo to think more about his family. If he left now and something happened later, his wife and daughter would live with eternal regret.

Gu Wei’s words made Lin Jianguo suddenly realize the seriousness of the situation. His hand holding the pen paused. Knowing his words had worked, Gu Wei turned and left. Later, when Lin’s mother returned to the ward and found out that Lin Jianguo had voluntarily agreed to undergo the examination, she and her daughter were overjoyed. Initially puzzled, Lin Zhixiao saw Gu Wei standing not far away and understood his involvement.

As the detailed examination report came out, it confirmed that Lin Jianguo had stomach cancer. Fortunately, it was detected early and could still be treated. Lin Zhixiao and her mother were deeply distressed. To avoid upsetting Lin Jianguo, they concealed the truth from him, telling him it was a severe gastric ulcer and urging him to rest well in the hospital. Lin’s mother later found a whole box of cigarettes under the bed and angrily scolded Lin Jianguo.

Lin Zhixiao witnessed this and felt heartbroken, leaving the room in tears. Qiu Qiu saw Lin Zhixiao heading to the rooftop. Not knowing how to comfort her, he found an excuse to bring Gu Wei over. As a doctor, Gu Wei could only use his medical knowledge to explain that Lin Jianguo had a high chance of recovery due to the early diagnosis and timely treatment. Lin Zhixiao understood Gu Wei’s point and did her best to suppress her grief.

Since they weren't close enough for him to offer too many words, he simply handed her an earbud, hoping music would help her relax. As a music major, Lin Zhixiao was especially familiar with cello pieces. She immediately recognized Brahms' Double Concerto and even knew the story of Mischa Maisky. This legendary musician, born during wartime and faced with a turbulent life, never gave up on his musical dream. He became a spiritual mentor encouraging Lin Zhixiao to persist. Dr.

Yan, the surgeon in charge of Lin Jianguo’s operation, explained the treatment plan to Lin’s mother and daughter after being introduced by Gao Xi. Based on Lin Jianguo’s condition, he decided on a radical total gastrectomy, meaning the entire stomach would be removed. Lin’s mother couldn't accept this, while Lin Zhixiao suggested using Gu Wei’s surgical plan in hopes of preserving part of the stomach. But Dr.

Yan flatly rejected the suggestion, firmly believing in his own medical philosophy that sought to eliminate all possible risks of postoperative recurrence. After Dr. Yan left, Lin Zhixiao proactively asked Gao Xi to let Dr. Gu perform the surgery instead. Gao Xi agreed happily, seeing it as an opportunity to retain Gu Wei. To sincerely win over Gu Wei, Lin’s mother paid out of her own pocket and asked her daughter to buy gifts.

That afternoon, Lin Zhixiao arrived with bags full of presents, attentively reminding Gu Wei that he was overworking and should eat more fruit and supplements to nourish himself. Gu Wei ignored her and continued focusing on his work, but Lin Zhixiao’s enthusiasm remained undiminished. She even recommended various hair-growth supplements, insisting hair care should start early to avoid a receding hairline. Hearing this, Gu Wei couldn’t bear it anymore and curtly said he didn’t need them.

Unexpectedly, Lin Zhixiao pulled out a box of kidney-tonifying supplements, claiming it was essential for men in their thirties. With Lin Zhixiao chattering nonstop beside him, Gu Wei was completely exasperated and scared her off with a sharp glare. Gao Xi, seeing Lin Zhixiao standing at the door, realized her plan had failed and went into the office alone. She expressed willingness to accompany Gu Wei in academic pursuits and unconsciously held his hand, revealing her affection.

Unexpectedly, Lin Zhixiao suddenly pushed the door open and saw the affectionate scene between Gao Xi and Gu Wei. Just as she was about to leave tactfully, Gu Wei quickly found an excuse to call her back. Lin Zhixiao, perceptive as always, cooperated by sitting down nearby, prompting Gao Xi to leave awkwardly. Watching Gao Xi walk away, Lin Zhixiao nosily speculated about her relationship with Gu Wei.

Using washing oranges as an excuse, Gu Wei sent her away and then brought Lin Jianguo’s report to Dr. Yan, hoping he would consider a distal gastrectomy. Dr. Yan, already critical of Gu Wei, was further displeased by his interference. He insisted that while both plans had risks, his was more suitable for Lin Jianguo. Meanwhile, Lin Zhixiao met with Xiao Shan outside the hospital, worried about her father's surgery.

She had hoped Gu Wei would agree to operate, but he persistently refused, and she didn’t trust Dr. Yan. Hearing this, Xiao Shan suggested trying a different approach to persuade Gu Wei. Xiao Shan, believing that money could solve everything, including the seemingly aloof and proper Gu Wei, thought a fat red envelope would surely work. Inexperienced in such matters, Lin Zhixiao followed her advice.

She practiced repeatedly in front of Gu Wei’s office on how to express her sincerity tactfully, only to be caught in the act by Gu Wei himself. Hearing Gu Wei’s voice behind her, Lin Zhixiao awkwardly turned around and, taking advantage of his distraction, ran off in embarrassment. Watching her quirky behavior, Gu Wei didn’t feel annoyed at all but instead couldn’t help laughing.

Gu Xiao called Xiao Shan, but she didn’t answer. Eventually, he couldn’t hold back and went out to apologize in person, bringing a carefully prepared gift to win her over. Seeing his effort, Xiao Shan’s anger mostly subsided, and her attitude softened. Just then, someone sent a video call request. Gu Xiao picked up his phone, feeling conflicted—should he answer or not? After repeated urging from Xiao Shan, Gu Xiao had no choice but to answer.

As expected, a young woman’s voice came through, coquettishly calling him “Brother Gu Xiao. ” With Xiao Shan right next to him, Gu Xiao couldn’t talk freely. Xiao Shan sarcastically teased him before getting up and leaving. Because of this, Gu Xiao completely lost interest in the video call and shut off his phone. Lin Zhixiao mustered her courage to wait for Gu Wei in the hallway, coinciding with lunchtime. She quickly texted Xiao Shan for a good restaurant recommendation.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Shan booked a couple’s seat for her, complete with candles, flower petals, and a specially recommended couple’s set meal—making the scene incredibly awkward. To avoid misunderstanding, Lin Zhixiao tried to explain but didn’t know where to start. In a panic, she handed over the red envelope she had prepared and rushed out the door like the wind. Gu Wei realized Lin Zhixiao had misunderstood the reason he refused to do the surgery.

So he returned to the hospital and asked Dr. Du to refund the money. After all, he’d be transferring departments in a few days and wouldn’t be involved anymore. The next morning, Lin’s mother noticed an extra amount in the medical card and rushed to discuss it with her daughter. Lin Zhixiao shamelessly pestered Gu Wei, bombarding him with questions and bothering him constantly. Originally planning to use Dr. Du as a shield, Gu Wei found that Dr.

Du completely lacked social awareness. In the end, Gu Wei hid in the bathroom while Lin Zhixiao waited outside. The department head saw Gu Wei’s dilemma, understanding that deep down, he truly wanted to operate on Lin Jianguo but feared failure or falling short of expectations.

Since Gu Wei didn’t show up for a long time, Lin Zhixiao returned to the ward to care for her father—just in time to see Qiu Qiu crying and refusing surgery unless Gu Wei stayed with him. Upon hearing this, Gu Wei called the doctor, and although it was abrupt, he still hoped Dr. Yan would let him into the operating room.

On the day of the surgery, Gu Wei stood by, simulating the entire process to overcome his inner fear, and finally, the operation ended successfully. Dr. Du, struggling with a medical book several hundred pages thick, asked Gu Wei to highlight the key points. His half-hearted attitude earned him a stern reprimand. Gu Wei reminded him that as the attending physician, he must devote himself wholeheartedly to the patient and carefully handle every detail. Dr.

Du dared not talk back and listened respectfully, realizing his work ethic was lacking, so he could only bow his head and take the scolding. Lin Zhixiao’s persistence in clinging to Gu Wei also moved him, and he eventually revealed the real reason he avoided surgery. His mentor Liang Zhou once had pancreatitis and was hospitalized. Gu Wei, confident as the lead surgeon, had promised a full recovery.

Though the surgery initially seemed successful, Liang Zhou’s condition suddenly worsened a few days later, and he passed away. Since then, Gu Wei hadn’t dared to step into an operating room or touch a scalpel. He couldn’t guarantee that Lin Jianguo’s surgery would go smoothly. After hearing his story, Lin Zhixiao didn’t press further but instead changed the topic to lighten the mood. That night, Lin Zhixiao sat by her father’s bed chatting, which helped ease the tension between them.

Meanwhile, Gu Xiao got drunk at a bar and, in a daze, thought he saw Xiao Shan sitting opposite him. When he woke up again, he found words written on his face by her. Students from Huaqing University came to visit Lin Jianguo in the hospital. Unaware of his stomach cancer, he was full of spirit and joked with them.

After hearing from Xiao Shan about his condition, a female classmate remarked on how much Lin Zhixiao had changed—more mature and composed. She also brought good news: the principal cellist was suddenly unavailable for the summer performance, and she suggested that Lin Zhixiao step in as a substitute, giving her a chance to shine. Full of hope, Lin Zhixiao returned to school, only to hear the orchestra teacher announce they didn’t need a cellist for now, leaving her extremely disappointed.

Crushed by her shattered musical dream, Lin Zhixiao stood alone on the rooftop in sorrow. Sensing her distress, Gu Wei approached to talk. To Lin Zhixiao, she lacked musical talent and only had passion. She had dreamed of joining the orchestra as a cellist, but things didn’t go her way. Life is full of disappointments—Gu Wei, for example, never imagined he’d be the one to destroy his mentor. A severe postoperative hemorrhage had tragically ended that life.

Lin Zhixiao realized that Gu Wei was someone who liked to be in control, believing he could change the world through his own strength. This made him feel even more responsible and powerless when things went wrong. Just moments earlier, Gu Wei had been comforting Lin Zhixiao. Now the roles were reversed as she enthusiastically motivated him. She believed that if Gu Wei could overcome his mental block, he would find a bright future ahead.

After all, Gu Wei was a naturally gifted person—if she had his talent, she would forge ahead and aim for the world stage. After their conversation, Lin Zhixiao returned to the ward with food. While her father was eating, she went to the hospital corridor, once again gathering her courage and telling herself never to give up on music. Although she had been rejected by the orchestra teacher, she continued to study music diligently whenever she had time and proactively messaged the teacher, hoping her sincerity would win them over.

Although doctors devote their full efforts to every surgery, they still can't guarantee a 100% success rate. It's precisely this uncertainty that causes some family members to react extremely and impulsively target the hospital—or even the lead surgeon they once entrusted—when facing the risk of failure. That day, a patient's family member came to the hospital in a rage and, driven by intense emotions, nearly lost control and attacked Gu Wei.

In the nick of time, Lin Zhixiao rushed over without hesitation. Only when she saw Gu Wei's expression drastically change did she realize that her forehead was covered in blood. As the incident gradually settled down, Gu Wei personally treated Lin Zhixiao’s wound. Before stitching, to ease her nerves, he made a cute puppet out of rubber gloves.

Knowing that only two stitches were needed and no anesthesia would be used, Lin Zhixiao fought through her fear, tilted her head up to focus on Gu Wei as a distraction, and unexpectedly noticed how beautiful his eyes were, blurting it out without thinking. Once the stitches were done, Lin Zhixiao suddenly remembered the little chick puppet she hadn’t taken and turned to find Gu Wei.

She saw his rather dejected figure and his uncontrollably trembling hands, and immediately decided to take him somewhere. That night, Lin Zhixiao and Gu Wei returned to Huaqing University. Initially, they were going to sneak into the music hall through a window, but Gu Wei couldn’t bring himself to do it. So Lin Zhixiao went to the front hall to open the door. Unexpectedly, it was never locked.

To comfort Gu Wei, she stood on stage and performed a “silent concert,” telling the story of how, during the most confused period of her life, she met a senior who played the violin. They had promised each other to get into Huaqing University. Now that the promise had been fulfilled, Lin Zhixiao had gradually changed her once-negative outlook on life. No matter what troubles or difficulties she encountered, just coming to the music hall helped her find peace.

The two of them sat nearby and talked for a long time, including about their pasts. Gu Wei appreciated Lin Zhixiao’s way of comforting him. Compared to others who spoke in clichés, her approach was far easier for him to accept. At that moment, a security guard came by after hearing noise. Lin Zhixiao instinctively pulled Gu Wei and ran, eventually leaving the school successfully.

Lin Zhixiao received a message from the orchestra teacher informing her she had been accepted, and she excitedly held Gu Wei’s hand to share the news—without noticing the awkward and embarrassed look on his face. Seeing Gu Wei use hand sanitizer, she realized he had mysophobia and teased him, wondering how he would manage if he had a girlfriend. Gu Wei fumbled to explain, and Lin Zhixiao handed him an earphone so they could enjoy the music together.

In that moment, Gu Wei seemed to sense Lin Zhixiao’s optimism and quietly made a choice in his heart. The next morning, Gu Wei mustered the courage to visit his mentor’s wife. To his surprise, she wasn’t angry at all and warmly welcomed him. Although Liang Zhou’s death had deeply affected her, she believed Gu Wei’s treatment plan was faultless and urged him not to blame himself anymore. Gu Wei silently listened as she spoke.

When she mentioned going into the professor’s study, he saw many familiar calligraphy and paintings. The sight stirred his emotions and reminded him of his vows and his teacher’s earnest teachings: only by staying true to one's original aspirations can one reach the end. Lin Zhixiao came to the hospital to bring food for Lin Jianguo and happened to see Gu Wei checking on Qiu Qiu’s post-op recovery. He signaled her with a glance to talk privately.

After much thought the previous night, Gu Wei had already decided to perform surgery on Lin Jianguo himself. He had been practicing and adjusting over time to ensure he could handle the procedure. Considering the high risk of the operation, Gu Wei clearly explained all necessary precautions and possible complications. Lin Jianguo, who was eavesdropping at the door, was shocked. Linking it with his wife and daughter’s recent unusual behavior, he grew even more afraid of the upcoming surgery.

Waking up alone in the middle of the night, Lin Jianguo felt a wave of panic. Just as he was about to get up and look for them, Lin Zhixiao and her mother came in from outside. He breathed a sigh of relief but then erupted in anger, scolding them for disappearing without notice and even knocking over the soup Lin Zhixiao brought. Neither of them could understand his sudden outburst.

After watching Lin Jianguo lie back on the bed angrily, they went out to fetch a mop. Lin Zhixiao’s mother guessed that he might have discovered his cancer diagnosis, but Lin Zhixiao quickly denied it, saying she had specifically asked Gu Wei to keep it a secret. Meanwhile, Lin Jianguo got up again and took out his cigarette box. Although tempted, he remembered his wife’s past scoldings and managed to resist.

Even though Gu Wei had promised to do his best during the surgery, Lin Jianguo still lacked confidence. In his view, rather than die on the operating table, it was better to live out his remaining days naturally. Back at the office, Gu Wei found Gu Xiao waiting. He learned that Gu Xiao had come at their mother’s request to bring him home for dinner.

Realizing he hadn’t returned home in a while, Gu Wei reluctantly changed clothes and left with him. Meanwhile, Lin Jianguo found an excuse to send his daughter away. Once she was gone, he hurriedly packed his bag, leaving only a note and his bank card.

When Gu Wei and Gu Xiao arrived home, they were surprised to see Gao Xi there too. It turned out that their mother had invited her over to help, but the real reason was to create an opportunity for Gu Wei and Gao Xi to connect. She thought very highly of Gao Xi and believed their families were well-matched, so she hoped to push forward their potential marriage.

At dinner, their mother openly expressed her fondness for Gao Xi and suggested they shouldn't only focus on work but also consider settling down. Meanwhile, at the hospital, Lin Zhixiao found the note her father left and was at a loss. Dr. Du helped her call Gu Wei to inform him immediately. Considering Lin Jianguo left the hospital on his own and might be suicidal, Gu Wei told Dr.

Du to submit a request to access the hospital’s security footage and rushed back himself. Gao Xi, upon hearing the news, followed Gu Wei to the hospital. The once lively dinner became quiet, leaving only Gu Xiao to accompany their mother. At the hospital, Gu Wei calmed Lin Zhixiao and joined her in searching for Lin Jianguo, but they couldn’t find him anywhere. Lin Zhixiao got a call from her mother, confirming he hadn’t returned home either.

In her growing panic, she was racking her brain to think of every possible place he might go. The more anxious one becomes, the more prone to mistakes. Lin Zhixiao suddenly experienced severe abdominal pain. Gu Wei stopped the car at a convenience store and personally went in to buy necessities. Standing in front of the feminine products shelf, he looked helpless, until a woman helped him pick two items.

Following the cashier’s suggestion, he also bought heating pads and a hot drink. Taking the items from Gu Wei, Lin Zhixiao was stunned. After drinking the warm beverage, the pain began to ease. Gu Wei advised her to relax as much as possible, otherwise stress would worsen the cramps. Lin Zhixiao calmed herself and began sharing her childhood story of running away from home, tears streaming down her face.

At that moment, her mother called again, saying she received a payment notification showing Lin Jianguo had bought a train ticket back to his hometown. There were still 45 minutes before departure. Lin Zhixiao, accompanied by Gu Wei, rushed to the train station and finally found the man they had both been worried sick about. Lin Jianguo was proudly bragging to strangers about how his daughter was his “precious little cotton-padded jacket.

” But Lin Zhixiao, filled with rage, shouted his full name in public, scolding him and insisting he return to the hospital. Lin Jianguo acted like a child and demanded to eat KFC. Since he wasn’t in the right state for surgery the next day, Gu Wei decided to postpone the operation. After they left, a male traveler nearby questioned how “warm” that cotton-padded jacket really was.

His pregnant wife was back home, and he wondered if their daughter would act the same in the future. Meanwhile, at the KFC restaurant in the middle of the night, Gu Wei sat a short distance away to give Lin Zhixiao and her father space to talk. Lin Jianguo happily munched on his burger, ignoring his daughter’s anger and even urging her to eat too.

Lin Zhixiao had no appetite and was still furious, especially after her mother injured her leg while searching for him. She scolded Lin Jianguo for being an irresponsible man. Maybe realizing he had gone too far, Lin Jianguo explained that he returned to his hometown to retrieve the list of 100 wishes his daughter wrote in elementary school. He wanted to fulfill as many of her wishes as possible in the time he had left.

Hearing this, Lin Zhixiao couldn’t hold back her tears anymore. Mr. Lin had always seemed unsupportive, yet he remembered such childhood details. Lin Zhixiao excused herself to go to the bathroom but ran out and burst into tears, blaming herself for being so willful over the years. After all, she had said many hurtful things to Lin Jianguo. Gu Wei followed and tried to comfort her, but his awkward comments made her cry harder.

So he stepped forward and gently embraced her, using the softest tone to soothe her wounded heart. Gu Wei’s action made Lin Zhixiao feel comforted—and then surprised. She remembered that he had mysophobia, yet he tolerated her tears soaking his coat. Gu Wei smiled and said his mysophobia had been cured by Lin Zhixiao, but realizing how suggestive that sounded, he quickly changed the topic and reminded her to pull herself together.

On the way back, Lin Zhixiao looked at her sleeping father beside her and silently whispered “Dad. ” The father-daughter bond that had been buried deep in her heart finally saw the light again. Gu Wei, watching through the rearview mirror as Lin Zhixiao rested her head on her father's shoulder, felt a whirlwind of emotions—but mostly relief. Elsewhere, Gu Xiao returned home late and complained to his mother that he didn’t get enough to eat at Gu Wei’s place.

Feeling sorry for him, she went to the kitchen to make him a late-night snack. His father, reading the newspaper on the couch, gave him a cold glance and made a disparaging comparison between him and Gu Wei. Always belittled by his father, Gu Xiao was especially annoyed and immediately fought back. The two had another intense argument. His father decided to cut off all his credit cards, but Gu Xiao just scoffed and left.

Despite acting proud, Gu Xiao actually waited outside for a long time until his mother came out with a card. He pretended to hesitate, took it, and drove straight to a hotel. At the hospital, Lin Zhixiao’s mother waited anxiously and was both angry and upset when she saw Lin Jianguo brought back by her daughter and Gu Wei. Once he was settled in, Lin Zhixiao finally felt relieved. She thanked Gu Wei, and they went their separate ways.

The next morning, she looked through a family photo album at home and smiled at the picture of the three of them together. Gu Wei stood on his balcony, lost in thought as he gazed into the distance.

Before entering the operating room, Gu Wei promised Lin Zhixiao that he would do his best. During the long hours of waiting, Lin Zhixiao and her mother stayed outside the operating room. To ease her mother’s anxiety, Lin Zhixiao deliberately brought up stories from her parents' youth. As expected, her mother began reminiscing about the past, unconsciously revealing a look of happiness as she talked about it at length.

Even though many years had passed and the two were an old married couple, Lin Zhixiao’s mother still felt that meeting Lin Jianguo was the greatest fortune of her life. She lamented that people of the new era don’t understand love, often prioritizing appearances, while true love lies in what’s within, including the other person’s genuine affection. Fortunately, the surgery went very smoothly. Lin Jianguo only needed to stay in the hospital for observation.

If no further complications arose, he could soon be discharged. The mother and daughter of the Lin family let out a sigh of relief, finally lifting the heavy burden from their hearts. Meanwhile, when Gu Wei returned to his office, he found a sticky note on the doorknob—it was a message of thanks from Lin Zhixiao. In the following days, Lin Zhixiao cared for Lin Jianguo while practicing her cello in the ward, never forgetting to rehearse.

Coincidentally, Gu Wei witnessed this scene. That evening, when Gu Wei came to check the ward, he saw Lin Zhixiao asleep beside the bed. He gently picked up a coat and covered her, drawing a chuckle from Qiu Qiu in the neighboring bed. Knowing that Lin Zhixiao needed a space to practice the cello, Gu Wei took the opportunity of the hospital's charity music event to let her perform. Seeing the orchestra brought excitement to Lin Zhixiao.

After getting the conductor’s permission, she began to play the cello in public with confidence. Standing nearby, Gu Wei nodded and cast her an encouraging look, almost mesmerized. He stayed that way until Dr. Du came to remind him about patient rounds, forcing him to leave. After several performances, Lin Zhixiao significantly improved her cello skills and gained confidence. During an assessment, she received praise from the orchestra instructor and officially became a member of the orchestra.

Upon receiving the news, Xiao Shan immediately called to congratulate Lin Zhixiao and asked about Lin Jianguo's condition. Lin Zhixiao mentioned that she owed her selection to Gu Wei's help and the opportunity he gave her to practice. But Xiao Shan, sensing something from the other end of the call, noted that Lin Zhixiao couldn’t go three sentences without mentioning Gu Wei, suspecting something was going on between them.

Due to Xiao Shan’s suspicion, Lin Zhixiao suddenly felt uneasy and ended the call with a random excuse. Meanwhile, Gu Xiao located Xiao Shan via her social media location and proposed that they open a bar together. Xiao Shan disagreed, thinking a café was the better choice. Since she was urgently looking for a job, she thought it over that night and decided to call Gu Xiao to discuss it in more detail the next day.

To celebrate becoming the orchestra’s cellist, Lin Zhixiao bought some snacks and cola. She visited Gu Wei during his free time, and the two of them sat on the rooftop, chatting and laughing in the evening breeze. Lin Zhixiao felt that after knowing each other for so long, they should at least be friends. She thought calling him "Dr.

Gu" seemed distant, but every nickname she came up with felt wrong—especially when she called him “Old Gu,” which nearly turned Gu Wei’s face as dark as coal. In the end, she went back to calling him “Dr. Gu,” just like how she called her father “Teacher Lin,” without affecting their relationship at all. In the ward, Lin Zhixiao’s mother was with Lin Jianguo. Hearing her daughter bring good news, she couldn't help but feel happy.

As the orchestra’s summer concert was approaching, Lin Zhixiao gave her parents two tickets. Even though her father might not be able to attend, she still extended the invitation. When Gao Xi came to check the ward, she also received a ticket from Lin Zhixiao, and on her behalf, delivered one to Gu Wei, mentioning that there might be a hospital meeting on the first of the next month.

Gu Wei accepted the ticket with an unconscious smile and placed it inside a book. Soon, it was Qiu Qiu’s discharge day. Before he left, the doctors bought a cake to celebrate his birthday, and Lin Zhixiao was present. Qiu Qiu thoughtfully handed out slices of cake, but Gao Xi schemed and claimed she couldn't finish hers alone and wanted to share it with Gu Wei.

Seeing this, Gu Wei immediately refused and even overcame his habit of using his own fork—something that upset Gao Xi. However, none of the other doctors noticed anything odd and continued teasing her about being close with Gu Wei. Standing nearby, Lin Zhixiao felt uncomfortable but forced a smile. After everyone finished the cake and dispersed, Gu Wei walked out of the ward.

Watching Lin Zhixiao’s retreating figure, he wanted to call out to her but was interrupted by Gao Xi, who stepped out. Seeing Gu Wei completely focused on Lin Zhixiao, Gao Xi became more aware of her place. Gu Wei, having no interest in chatting, told her to take care of her own tasks. Just after Gao Xi left, Qiu Qiu came out of the office and whispered in Gu Wei’s ear, sharply pointing out that he liked Lin Zhixiao.

Since Lin Zhixiao arrived at the hospital, Gu Wei had begun to smile more, whereas he remained stern with everyone else. Though Gu Wei smiled and teased Qiu Qiu for speaking nonsense, he couldn’t hide his true feelings. When it was time to part, Qiu Qiu left the hospital with his family. Gu Wei and Lin Zhixiao personally saw him off. Lin Zhixiao gave him a large teddy bear, and Gu Wei brought two medical books.

As Qiu Qiu said goodbye to Lin Zhixiao, he also expressed his reluctance to part with Gu Wei, since both were people he deeply trusted and cared for. He even prepared small gifts to give them in return.

Before leaving, Qiu Qiu gave Lin Zhixiao and Gu Wei each a letter, instructing them not to open it or show it to anyone else. However, after he left, Lin Zhixiao couldn’t resist opening hers. Inside was a piece of paper with a drawing of a man and a woman, with a cello placed next to the woman. Lin Zhixiao guessed that the girl was herself but couldn’t tell who the tall man was.

She mistakenly thought it was Qiu Qiu. But Gu Wei knew the truth. He pretended to open the envelope but didn’t let Lin Zhixiao see it. Alone in his office, he discovered that it was a drawing of the moment he had covered Lin Zhixiao with his coat. He couldn’t help but smile in satisfaction. As Lin Zhixiao’s forehead injury healed, it was time for the stitches to come out.

Gu Wei used the opportunity to subtly test her, saying that he and Gao Xi were just colleagues, not a couple. However, Lin Zhixiao completely missed the hint. In fact, she had already forgotten what had happened during the cake-sharing incident and didn’t understand why Gu Wei was explaining. She naively promised not to tell anyone.

Seeing how clueless she was, Gu Wei realized he had overreacted and jokingly brought up their age gap, asking if it would be a problem. Unexpectedly, Lin Zhixiao openly admitted that Gu Wei felt more like an uncle to her and that the gap was indeed significant. Time flew by, and it was finally Lin Jianguo’s discharge day. Lin Zhixiao reluctantly packed up while her mother went to get Gu Wei’s contact information.

Before they left, Gu Wei had prepared a detailed post-op care plan—careful and thorough, making them feel very warm. Xiao Shan had drawn up a plan to open a café, but Gu Xiao wasn’t interested and nearly fell asleep across from her. Still, Xiao Shan was a determined person. Once she made up her mind, she acted immediately. Seeing that she wanted to drag him out to scout locations, Gu Xiao couldn’t help but complain.

After the Lin family was discharged, Gu Wei hadn’t seen Lin Zhixiao for a while. He wanted to message her but didn’t know how to start. Lin Zhixiao also tried to add Gu Wei as a friend but was blocked by his privacy settings. On the day Lin Jianguo began chemotherapy, the family returned to the hospital. Gao Xi was still his attending doctor and treated Lin Zhixiao poorly due to her relationship with Gu Wei.

The side effects of Lin Jianguo’s chemotherapy included a severe loss of appetite. Although Gao Xi said it was normal, Lin Zhixiao remained worried and texted Gu Wei to ask about reintroducing food. Gu Wei didn’t reply but showed up the next day to check on Lin Jianguo. He listed several foods, but none seemed to excite him—until he mentioned wontons. Lin Jianguo’s eyes lit up. Realizing this, Gu Wei immediately told Lin Zhixiao to buy wontons nearby.

Shortly after he left, Dr. Du came by and casually mentioned how busy Gu Wei had been all day. Only then did Lin Zhixiao notice a local news report about a traffic accident and realized Gu Wei had spent the day in the emergency room. The fact that he still made time to visit her father deeply moved her. That evening, she sent a thank-you message. Gu Wei smiled as he read it, ready to reply.

But when a colleague bumped him as a joke, he accidentally sent “No need to thank me, I’m blind,” leaving Lin Zhixiao very confused. Lin Zhixiao was going to perform at a school music event and hoped Gu Wei would attend. Gu Wei remembered he had work and couldn’t immediately reply. On the day of the performance, Lin Zhixiao dressed carefully and went to school with her cello and Hanhan.

As the show began, Gu Wei entered the school auditorium and sat down to watch. To his surprise, Lin Zhixiao was only playing the triangle. Before the performance, the orchestra teacher had noticed that her right hand was trembling—a result of overtraining—so he reassigned her to the triangle to avoid any mishaps, dismissing all her efforts. Seeing her on stage, heartbroken, Gu Wei felt distressed.

After the show, he was about to greet her when the principal stopped him and eagerly introduced his daughter Hanhan. Gu Wei wasn’t interested. His eyes were fixed on Lin Zhixiao, who accidentally tripped and angered her teammate, leading to mockery. When the teammate demanded compensation, Gu Wei rushed over, stood up for her, and even offered to pay. The girl asked what Gu Wei’s relationship with Lin Zhixiao was.

He was momentarily speechless, but Lin Zhixiao quickly said she was his idol. Before anyone could respond, Gu Wei took her off the stage and escorted her home. Meanwhile, Gao Xi was visiting Gu Wei’s home and, in front of his family, deliberately gossiped that he had gone to see a patient’s family member perform. That night, after parting ways downstairs, Lin Zhixiao returned home happy and sweet, only to find she was still wearing Gu Wei’s jacket. As she hurriedly took it off, she found the concert ticket in the pocket.

When Lin Zhixiao saw the ticket, she remembered she had asked Gao Xi to pass it to Gu Wei, so she immediately opened the window on the balcony and, sure enough, saw Gu Wei still standing downstairs. They talked on the phone while looking at each other from a distance. Lin Zhixiao thanked Gu Wei and, seeing it was getting late, reminded him to be careful on his way home.

Moments later, Lin Zhixiao received a friend request from Gu Wei. She was overjoyed and quickly accepted. She immediately said she would wash the coat and return it to him the next day, but Gu Wei said it wasn’t necessary. That evening, when Gu Wei got home, he found his parents sitting grim-faced in the living room, as if they had been waiting for him.

Gu Wei's father once again emphasized that Gu Wei was no longer young and should consider settling down with Gao Xi. He even criticized him for not knowing his boundaries and getting too close to patients. In his parents’ view, two doctors getting married was a perfect match because they shared the same values and ideals. But Gu Wei did not want his parents to arrange his life.

Since he also had no intention of getting married, he began looking online for housing, planning to move out and live alone. The next morning, Lin Zhixiao got up to a message from Gu Wei and cheerfully began cleaning his suit. However, she used the wrong detergent, ruining the jacket, which wasn’t suitable for washing to begin with. Her mother noticed the odd-looking clothing, which appeared large and masculine.

Lin Zhixiao quickly made up an excuse, claiming it was the current fashion trend, brushing her off with a few words. Since she had ruined the clothes, Lin Zhixiao braced herself and went to the hospital to apologize and even offered to buy a new one to replace it. Gu Wei smiled helplessly and asked her to extend her hand.

Lin Zhixiao thought he was going to punish her like a teacher slapping a palm, but in fact, Gu Wei wanted to check her injured right hand. Due to over-practice earlier, Lin Zhixiao's right hand had developed a problem. Gu Wei told her to make an appointment with orthopedics. As punishment for ruining his suit, Gu Wei only asked her to bring him a cup of hot water.

However, Gao Xi immediately recognized Gu Wei’s personal water cup and was very displeased. Gao Xi reminded Lin Zhixiao not to keep visiting the hospital since Lin Jianguo had already been discharged, and she should at least be mindful of boundaries. Before Lin Zhixiao could explain, Gao Xi took the cup from her and delivered the water to Gu Wei herself. Lin Zhixiao, remembering her backpack was still in the office, waited at the door. Coincidentally, Dr. Du walked by.

Lin Zhixiao greeted him and mentioned that Dr. Gao Xi didn’t seem to like her. Dr. Du shrugged it off, saying that Gao Xi was cold to everyone except Gu Wei. Lin Zhixiao listened in confusion, unaware that she had already become Gao Xi's rival in love on a subconscious level. Gu Wei had expected Lin Zhixiao, but when he saw it was Gao Xi, his smile immediately faded.

Gao Xi deliberately walked over to Gu Wei and pretended to look at the materials with him, trying all she could to get closer. But Gu Wei was focused on work and only gave her half-hearted responses, clearly uninterested. At the hotel, Gu Xiao was still groggy when his mother suddenly came to take him home. Since his father was on a business trip, he could stay home for a while.

Wanting to open a café, Gu Xiao tried sweet-talking his mother into lending him money. At first, she firmly refused, but eventually gave in and agreed to transfer money one last time. Gu Wei accompanied Lin Zhixiao to book an orthopedics appointment and took her to a nearby restaurant for lunch, ordering dishes helpful for her recovery. Gu Wei asked her to hold out her hands, which confused her until he took out disinfectant—his usual habit.

Lin Zhixiao hadn’t forgotten about ruining the suit and offered to buy a new one as compensation. But Gu Wei didn’t mind and instead asked her to help find suitable housing listings. After her orthopedics consultation, Lin Zhixiao returned home looking downcast, especially after seeing messages from her orchestra group. In the middle of the night, unable to sleep, she stayed in her room practicing violin. Her mother called her from outside the door with no response.

Just then, Gu Wei called. From the call, he could hear the violin. He called Lin Zhixiao again and deliberately asked her to find 100 housing listings for him to be emailed the next day. Lin Zhixiao groaned at the task but, feeling guilty about the ruined suit, complied. She even renamed Gu Wei as "capitalist" in her contacts, unaware of his real intentions.

By the time dawn was breaking, Lin Zhixiao had finally finished compiling the listings and emailed them to Gu Wei, completely exhausted and no longer in the mood to practice. Gu Wei acknowledged the email and made another request: organize the listings by proximity to the hospital and categorize them by area and distance, then sort by rent and housing quality. He repeatedly reminded her that she had agreed to work off her debt and shouldn’t back out now.

Despite Gu Wei’s harsh demands, Lin Zhixiao kept her word. After hanging up, she stomped her feet and angrily cursed Gu Wei as a heartless tyrant. Meanwhile, Gu Wei smiled as he looked at his phone, clearly enjoying teasing Lin Zhixiao under the guise of debt repayment. Dr. Du also noticed Gu Wei’s unusual behavior, sensing that he no longer seemed as lifeless as before. Lin Zhixiao had barely finished all the work when Gu Wei called again, asking her to accompany him to view properties the next morning.

Lin Zhixiao originally thought she could use the free time in the morning to practice violin, but just as she got out of bed and hadn't even warmed the seat, Gu Wei called again. He said something had come up and they had to go see the houses right away—meaning now. After hanging up, Lin Zhixiao gritted her teeth but still composed herself, got ready, and went out. Gu Wei thoughtfully bought her breakfast, choosing her favorite flavor.

Then they visited about a dozen properties, but Gu Wei was dissatisfied with every one, finding faults constantly. Lin Zhixiao, who had done her homework and was even more knowledgeable than the agents, led Gu Wei and introduced each place. But his attitude tested her patience, and in frustration, she turned and walked away. Gu Wei ran after her, admitting he had been doing it on purpose.

If she promised to rest well and stop practicing, there wouldn't have been so much trouble. Hearing his concerned words, Lin Zhixiao calmed down, saying she had fallen too far behind and desperately wanted to catch up. But Gu Wei warned that rushing would only cause more harm—if she didn’t follow medical advice, her right hand might never recover, and the loss would be far greater.

Moved, Lin Zhixiao hesitated, then took Gu Wei to see the last property, trying hard to persuade him. Seeing the anticipation in her eyes, Gu Wei agreed to take it, even though the rent was far beyond what she expected. Gu Wei didn’t mind the price and was ready to sign the contract immediately. But Lin Zhixiao suddenly asked him to step aside, saying she wanted to talk to the agent alone.

Gu Wei didn’t go far and stood behind the door, eavesdropping. To his surprise, Lin Zhixiao lied that Gu Wei was her boyfriend and that they were about to get married to persuade the agent to lower the rent. Using her sharp tongue, Lin Zhixiao finally convinced the agent to contact the landlord and reduce the rent. Overjoyed, she thanked the agent—her hard work hadn’t been in vain.

The agent sent the lease to Gu Wei’s email, but it was seen by Gao Xi. With the lease settled, Lin Zhixiao and Gu Wei had resolved a major issue. Xiao Shan met with Lin Zhixiao and, seeing Gu Wei had dropped her off, became curious. After hearing about their interactions, she accurately concluded that Gu Wei liked Lin Zhixiao. Right then, Gu Wei messaged to invite Lin Zhixiao to sign the contract the next day.

Just as Lin Zhixiao was about to reply, Xiao Shan snatched the phone and responded for her, declining Gu Wei’s invitation and even added shy and heart emoji. Gu Wei stared at the message in a daze, recalling what Lin Zhixiao had said to the agent earlier. After hesitating, he called her. Lin Zhixiao readily agreed to meet, frustrating Xiao Shan. That night, Dr.

Du returned to the dorm and saw Gu Wei sitting alone smiling at his desk—a sight he had never seen, suspecting it was due to work stress. Meanwhile, Lin Zhixiao lay restless in bed, thinking about every moment spent with Gu Wei, blushing over Xiao Shan’s deduction yet worried it might just be wishful thinking. Xiao Shan met Gu Xiao at a bar and praised Gu Wei, trying to confirm he was indeed romantically inexperienced.

Gu Xiao thought Xiao Shan liked his cousin and warned her not to have any ideas. Xiao Shan, amused, clarified that she was just helping her best friend understand Gu Wei better. Dr. Du woke up to find Gu Wei still at his desk reading, not having rested all night. Meanwhile, Lin Zhixiao had just started breakfast when she received a message from Gu Wei. Her reaction was so unnatural that she excused herself to reply in private.

Based on his own experience, Lin Jianguo concluded his daughter had fallen for someone. While texting Gu Wei, Lin Zhixiao began to sense a budding romantic atmosphere, as if they were a couple in the early stages of love. Unbeknownst to her, Gu Wei was about to leave home when his mother called him back. Gao Xi had deliberately informed the Gu family parents after seeing the lease.

Gu Wei had no choice but to go home with his mother first and messaged Lin Zhixiao that he would be late, reminding her to be careful on the road. Lin Zhixiao happily headed to meet the agent but waited all day without seeing Gu Wei. In the end, the property was sold to someone else. Seeing the deal slip through her fingers, Lin Zhixiao was full of regret.

Meanwhile, Gu Wei’s father indirectly advised him to think twice about everything. But Gu Wei argued that moving out didn’t mean he was cutting ties with his parents—he was in his thirties and needed his own space and independence. Despite his father's firm opposition, Gu Wei remained unmoved. Ignoring the disapproval, he rushed to the agent's office and found Lin Zhixiao waiting anxiously at the door.

Gu Wei said they could still find another place and took her to eat hotpot. However, he began analyzing the ingredients from a medical perspective, especially animal organs. Lin Zhixiao, who had been hungry, lost her appetite completely. So she told him to close his eyes and gave him a bite of the so-called “animal organ” to taste.

Actually, Gu Wei didn’t intentionally bring it up—it's just a professional habit. Every time he picked up a piece of food, he would observe its appearance and analyze it with reason and logic. So Lin Zhixiao regretfully sighed that they shouldn’t have come for hot pot. But just moments later, she suddenly put on a mysterious expression and asked Gu Wei to close his eyes.

Though Gu Wei had no idea what Lin Zhixiao was up to, he obediently closed his eyes. Lin Zhixiao then fed him a piece of food, which he chewed with delight. With her prompting, he seemed to discover a new world of hot pot. After happily finishing the hot pot, Lin Zhixiao went home and sent Gu Wei a message inviting him to meet again next time. She also promised to continue helping him look for an apartment.

She couldn't help but imagine Gu Wei walking through the door with a faint, ambiguous smile that made her heart flutter. As the fantasy faded, Lin Zhixiao quickly snapped out of it and reminded herself not to be swayed by Gu Wei's good looks. Meanwhile, back at the hospital office, Dr.

Du caught the smell of hot pot on Gu Wei and wanted to gossip, but Gu Wei "threatened" that if he said one more word, he’d be sent to experience being dog-tired. Dr. Du immediately shut his mouth. Satisfied, Gu Wei pulled out his phone and looked at the message from Lin Zhixiao, feeling especially content.

The next morning, Lin Zhixiao was having breakfast with her parents when she unexpectedly learned that Aunt Zhang next door was moving to Beijing with her son, which meant the apartment would be for rent. Overjoyed, she hurriedly asked her mother for Aunt Zhang's contact and quickly got the keys. Recalling Gu Wei's specific requirements for an apartment, Lin Zhixiao thoroughly cleaned the entire place and even made a detailed presentation plan, which led to some teasing from Xiao Shan.

Gu Xiao and Xiao Shan had partnered to rent a storefront and were setting up the interior. Gu Xiao, in a mischievous mood, deliberately looped some string around Xiao Shan. She struggled but ended up falling into his trap, and he unexpectedly kissed her. Instead of getting mad, she continued to playfully mess around with him—it was a sweet moment.

At the same time, Gu Wei's mother complained to Gao Xi that her son wanted to move out and live alone, and hoped she could persuade him otherwise. Gao Xi came up with a roundabout plan: to have the agent lead Gu Wei to view her family’s old apartment. Initially unaware of the setup, Gu Wei answered the agent's call and went to see the apartment.

It wasn’t until he saw a stack of documents on the table that he realized the owner was none other than Deputy Director Gao. Lin Zhixiao brought her presentation plan to the hospital to show Gu Wei, only to run into Gao Xi. Gao Xi seized the chance to show her a video of Gu Wei expressing satisfaction with the apartment, saying he was going to move into her family’s place.

This left Lin Zhixiao both angry and upset, so she called Xiao Shan to vent, claiming she had misread everything. Xiao Shan, indignant on behalf of her best friend, ordered Gu Xiao to arrange a meeting with Gu Wei at a café. She then confronted him, accusing him of two-timing—flirting with Gao Xi while staying close with Lin Zhixiao. In her eyes, Gu Wei was an irresponsible scumbag.

She didn't even care that Gu Xiao looked increasingly awkward; he couldn’t take it anymore and nudged her, signaling her to stop. In fact, Gu Wei had already declined Gao Xi’s invitation. His original plan was to move into Lin Zhixiao’s neighborhood, but the video Gao Xi shared had been taken out of context, leading to this huge misunderstanding.

Xiao Shan tossed Lin Zhixiao’s presentation onto the table, and as Gu Wei read through the content, he realized the seriousness of the situation and immediately took action. Gao Xi mistakenly believed Gu Wei had agreed to move in, but when she got a call from the agent, she found out the contract hadn’t been signed. That night, Lin Zhixiao couldn’t sleep, ignoring Gu Wei’s calls.

The next morning, she walked out onto the balcony in a down mood—only to be shocked to see Gu Wei on the neighboring balcony, standing there quietly. While she was still stunned, Gu Wei smiled gently and silently mouthed “Good morning. ” Lin Zhixiao, thrilled, rushed into the kitchen to ask her mother what was going on.

Her mother explained that Gu Wei had called last night, saying he wanted to find a place in the same neighborhood, so she helped arrange the rental agreement. Before her mother could finish explaining, Lin Zhixiao excitedly ran out to look for Gu Wei—just as he was coming over from the opposite side. They exchanged greetings, unable to hide their joy.

Blushing, Lin Zhixiao ran back inside, while her mother peeked out and invited Gu Wei to stay for a meal. Gu Wei visited Lin Zhixiao’s home. Surprisingly, the usually casual Lin Zhixiao behaved very ladylike at the dinner table and even kept serving him food. After dinner, the two went shopping for household supplies together. During the shopping trip, Gu Wei deliberately brought up the presentation Xiao Shan had submitted. Lin Zhixiao confidently admitted it was hers.

To thank Xiao Shan for helping him find the apartment, Gu Wei bought her a pair of slippers. After accepting his gesture, Lin Zhixiao returned home with him, playfully wrapping herself in string lights like a mischievous child. Seeing Lin Zhixiao giggling and goofing around, Gu Wei doted on her and told her to get off the sofa. During their physical interaction, the atmosphere turned very ambiguous. Both felt awkward, drinking water face-to-face to hide their nervousness. When they couldn’t drink anymore, they began untangling the messy lights together.

As night fell, Lin Zhixiao stood up to say goodbye. Before leaving, she went to wash her cup in the kitchen. Seeing her empty-handed, Gu Wei reminded her not to forget her bag. She shyly waved goodbye and left. Gu Wei, who was known for his cleanliness, immediately washed the cup again. But just a short while later, Lin Zhixiao came back.

She had gone home only to realize her phone was missing—and sure enough, it was under the couch cushion in Gu Wei’s place. Just as she was about to leave, she noticed the cup again. Gu Wei nervously tried to explain, but Lin Zhixiao didn’t give him the chance. She knew he was just obsessively clean. Although she appeared calm on the surface, once back home, Lin Zhixiao couldn’t help sulking, mumbling that he was a clean freak.

Gu Wei absentmindedly mopped the floor, trying to think of how to apologize. He ended up leaving her favorite chocolates at the door and returned to his room. Watching through the peephole as Lin Zhixiao smiled upon seeing the chocolate, he finally relaxed. The next morning, Gao Xi came to Gu Wei’s office, explaining that she only helped find the apartment at Gu Wei’s mother's request and couldn’t understand why he wanted to move out.

Gu Wei didn’t want to elaborate and simply said he had already found a place. Realizing it was no use pushing further, Gao Xi tactfully left. Just then, Dr. Du passed by, and Gao Xi deliberately encouraged him to throw a housewarming surprise for Gu Wei. Xiao Shan, upon learning that Lin Zhixiao and Gu Wei had gone shopping together, gossiped that the two weren’t even officially dating yet but were already acting like an old married couple.

Even though things seemed fine now, she warned Lin Zhixiao not to let Gu Wei lose his passion. In return, Lin Zhixiao teased Xiao Shan for the way she acted around Gu Xiao, sensing something between them. That night, it was pouring rain. Lin Zhixiao ran home through the downpour and happened to bump into Gu Wei driving back. The two shared an umbrella, walking very close.

Gu Wei once again explained why he washed the cup last night and hoped she wouldn’t misunderstand. Before parting, he reminded her to dry her hair and soak her feet, and to message him if anything came up. Once home, Gu Wei still felt uneasy and was about to bring Lin Zhixiao some cold medicine when suddenly, Gao Xi and Dr. Du arrived with a group of colleagues.

What was supposed to be a surprise visit felt more like a shock, leaving him extremely uncomfortable. With no way to refuse, he let them in. Gao Xi noticed the women’s slippers by the door and the extra cups in the cupboard—something didn’t sit right with her. Meanwhile, Lin Zhixiao, in the kitchen, saw Gao Xi holding a cup in the neighboring unit and was shocked.

Though unhappy, Gao Xi deliberately drew the curtains to make it seem like she and Gu Wei were alone. Unable to see what was really going on, Lin Zhixiao quickly called Xiao Shan and described the situation. She suspected there were more people inside, not just Gao Xi. But Xiao Shan wasn’t one to overthink. She ordered Lin Zhixiao to take the initiative.

Encouraged by her, Lin Zhixiao pretended to clean while secretly spying from the door until the guests all left. Gao Xi then found an excuse to go back inside, which made Lin Zhixiao so angry she started playing the cello loudly to disrupt them—annoying not only Gu Wei but the nearby neighbors. Lin Jianguo thought it was inappropriate and came over to scold her.

Under his suspicious gaze, Lin Zhixiao obediently stopped playing and instead knocked her head against the wall. Gu Wei, hearing the cello, understood the signal and had to suppress his laughter. When he heard the head banging, he suddenly realized her intention and quickly sent her a caring message. Failing to find another excuse to stay, Gao Xi had no choice but to ask Gu Wei to take her home. Watching this, Lin Zhixiao couldn’t help but complain inwardly.

She took out the trash just to have an excuse to greet Gu Wei. Gu Wei used the excuse of having had alcohol to politely refuse Gao Xi’s request, leaving her to go home disappointed. As soon as she got in the elevator, Lin Zhixiao triumphantly tossed the garbage to Gu Wei and went back inside.

The next morning, urged by her mother, Lin Zhixiao was getting up to buy breakfast for Lin Jianguo when she saw Gu Wei at the door holding a baby. He told her he was married with a child. Then Gao Xi walked out of the room, gently taking the baby and leaning against Gu Wei like a loving family. The sight shocked Lin Zhixiao awake from her nightmare.

When Lin Zhixiao went out to buy breakfast, she ran into Gu Wei, and the two went to a nearby shop to enjoy soy milk and fried dough sticks together, sharing a sweet and cozy moment. Meanwhile, Yin Xi and Jin Shi had just gotten off a plane and bumped into their senior, Shao Jiang. After a brief chat, they said goodbye. Shao Jiang reminded them not to tell Lin Zhixiao he was back—he wanted to surprise her himself.

Gu Wei was performing surgery in the operating room, while Lin Zhixiao learned that her parents had gone out of town for a reunion and wouldn’t be back until the next afternoon. She and Xiao Shan planned to invite Gu Wei over for a candlelight dinner. Following Xiao Shan’s suggestion, Lin Zhixiao decided to eat a little something first, but when she went to pick up the food delivery, the door closed automatically.

Having forgotten her keys and wearing only pajamas, she awkwardly stood in the hallway calling Xiao Shan for help. Xiao Shan told her to call a locksmith, but Lin Zhixiao said there wasn’t enough time—her phone battery was low and wouldn’t last. Even if she waited for the locksmith, she’d have no way to contact them. Initially, Xiao Shan was going to rush over, but then she changed her mind, using an excuse to brainstorm with Gu Xiao. In reality, she contacted Gu Wei to come rescue the damsel in distress.

Since Gu Wei was in the operating room during the day, he didn’t have time to answer his phone. It wasn’t until just before getting off work that he saw the message from Xiao Shan. At that time, Lin Zhixiao was squatting in the hallway, sighing as she ate spicy hot pot. Gu Wei’s sudden appearance startled her so much that she began to cough uncontrollably.

She quickly covered her mouth to hide her embarrassment, spilling some of the soup in the process. Once she recovered, Lin Zhixiao took the initiative to borrow Gu Wei’s power bank, as her phone was about to die and would soon shut down. While Gu Wei went back to his room, Lin Zhixiao used the opportunity to call Xiao Shan, scolding her for going behind her back to contact Gu Wei.

Xiao Shan earnestly reminded her to seize the opportunity and told her she had already sent something over. At that moment, a delivery person entrusted by Xiao Shan arrived with a bag for Lin Zhixiao. Gu Wei returned to invite Lin Zhixiao inside, and since she didn’t have a key, she had to follow him to his home.

Once there, Lin Zhixiao felt very uncomfortable, while Gu Wei thoughtfully prepared a change of clothes for her and urged her to take a shower. In the bathroom, Lin Zhixiao found makeup-free cream and breath-freshening mints in the bag. Her imagination ran wild as she fantasized about a romantic date night, picturing Gu Wei holding a large bouquet of roses, inviting her to dinner, complimenting her barefaced beauty, and ending with a passionate kiss.

Xiao Shan went to a bar alone and, unsurprisingly, was approached by a handsome man. Before they could exchange more than a few words, Gu Xiao suddenly appeared and firmly asserted his presence. Seeing the guy back off, Xiao Shan didn’t stop him but declined Gu Xiao’s invitation, saying she had other plans that evening. This angered Gu Xiao, who turned and left.

Back at Gu Wei’s place, Lin Zhixiao couldn’t help smiling at the romantic fantasy until she snapped out of it, blushing and reminding herself not to overthink. While she was showering, Gu Wei made her a bowl of noodles and returned to the study to work. He ended up working late into the night.

At first, Lin Zhixiao didn’t want to disturb Gu Wei, who was speaking with an international colleague on the phone, so she patiently waited in the living room. Once his call ended, she knocked on the study door to say hello. Gu Wei told her to go rest and mentioned he had already changed the bed linens. Lin Zhixiao instinctively asked what he would do, and only after saying it did she realize the ambiguity of her words.

She quickly changed the topic, expressing concern about him working so late. But Gu Wei didn’t mind. He was used to this lifestyle as a doctor. Seeing him buried in documents, Lin Zhixiao eagerly offered to be his translator, believing her English skills were up to the task. However, some documents were filled with complex academic terminology, making it hard for her to convey the intended meaning.

Her help ended up being more of a hindrance, and she left the study feeling dejected. Thinking Gu Wei would be up late, she steamed an egg custard for him in the kitchen and rehearsed what to say. She gathered her courage to knock on his door, but after some hesitation, she didn’t go in. She left the egg custard on the living room coffee table with a note.

Bored, she lay in bed and later noticed the custard untouched and Gu Wei still working in the study. She reheated the custard in the microwave, just as Gu Wei received a call and hurriedly said goodbye to Lin Zhixiao. An emergency had come up at the hospital, and no one knew when Gu Wei would return. Lin Zhixiao couldn’t hide her disappointment and sat alone in the living room until dawn. After cleaning the room, she left.

Early in the morning, she accompanied Xiao Shan to meet Yin Xi and Jin Shi. Since she had music class that day, Lin Zhixiao went to school while Xiao Shan unexpectedly learned that Shao Jiang had returned to China. When she arrived at the music room, Lin Zhixiao thought she could still participate, but her spot had been taken, and she was reassigned to play the triangle. The band teacher introduced Shao Jiang, who took the stage surrounded by admiration.

He had returned to select a few junior students to perform with him. Having lost her cello position, Lin Zhixiao had no interest in listening to Shao Jiang’s speech. Though she once had feelings for him, time had faded them, leaving only the fleeting joy of reunion. Shao Jiang noticed Lin Zhixiao quietly leaving the room and quickly followed her outside after finishing his speech.

Originally, Lin Zhixiao wanted to call Xiao Shan to vent, but Xiao Shan was busy preparing for her café’s opening, and Lin Zhixiao didn’t want to bother Gu Wei. Seeing how upset she was, Shao Jiang comforted her and took her to a bar to relax. He even pulled her on stage to play the violin with him. Gu Wei returned home after work, half-listening to Dr. Du chatter away while noticing the freshly cleaned house.

After hanging up, he went to the kitchen for water and found the discarded bowl of egg custard in the trash and a blue sticky note. Realizing he had overlooked Lin Zhixiao the night before, he smiled unconsciously as he picked up the note and read her handwriting. He called her, but no one answered.

At Shao Jiang’s invitation, Lin Zhixiao joined him on stage for a live performance. The two had great chemistry, and their brilliant performance earned applause from the crowd. Gu Wei watched the video on Lin Zhixiao’s social media, feeling complicated emotions—possibly jealousy. Meanwhile, Shao Jiang took Lin Zhixiao and friends to dinner, openly expressing his affection for her. The friends assumed Shao Jiang and Lin Zhixiao were a couple, but she denied it repeatedly.

Shao Jiang didn’t correct them and even hinted that a future romance couldn’t be ruled out. The friends burst into laughter and began teasing, all but confirming the two would eventually become an item. On the way back, Shao Jiang half-jokingly claimed he returned to China for Lin Zhixiao. She quickly recalled his speech about a national tour, and Shao Jiang brushed it off with a smile.

When he heard that she had a crush on someone, his smile turned forced, clearly disappointed. Lin Zhixiao didn’t notice and simply remarked that it was a one-sided affection. Meanwhile, Gu Wei was absentmindedly reading, constantly checking the time and listening for any sounds at the door. When he finally heard Lin Zhixiao’s voice, he eagerly grabbed his jacket and headed out—only to see through the peephole that Shao Jiang was affectionately touching her head.

Furious, Gu Wei opened the door with a hostile expression, glaring at Shao Jiang, who returned the look with defiance. Lin Zhixiao casually greeted Gu Wei and introduced them. Shao Jiang reached out for a handshake, but Gu Wei declined, saying he had a professional habit of not shaking hands. Lin Zhixiao’s parents came over upon hearing the noise and were delighted to recognize Shao Jiang. They warmly invited both Gu Wei and Shao Jiang to dinner.

Lin’s mother prepared a table full of homemade dishes. The atmosphere between Gu Wei and Shao Jiang was tense as they traded barbed remarks. Shao Jiang mentioned he’d be visiting often, while Lin’s mother pointed out Gu Wei rarely came over and asked Lin Zhixiao to serve him some food. Gu Wei, deliberately opposing Shao Jiang, reminded everyone that Lin’s father was still recovering and should avoid hard foods and drink more soup.

As he spoke, Gu Wei placed a bowl of soup in front of Lin’s father. To ease the tension, Lin’s mother reminisced about how Shao Jiang once stayed at their home as a child. Lin Zhixiao used to love playing with him and even dreamed of marrying him someday. This embarrassed Lin Zhixiao even more, and she forced a smile to cover it up. Gu Wei grew increasingly unhappy, his face clouded with coldness.

After dinner, Gu Wei went home and searched for Shao Jiang’s background online, scoffing at the glowing reviews calling him the dream of millions of girls. Meanwhile, Lin Zhixiao sat unhappily on her bed, trying to use orange segments to guess whether Gu Wei cared about her. When she reached the last segment and it said he didn’t, she immediately called Xiao Shan to complain. On the café’s opening day, Gu Wei brought a money tree to Gu Xiao.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Shan provoked him by saying Shao Jiang was not only Lin Zhixiao’s childhood friend but also her motivation for playing the cello. This reminded Gu Wei of the “senior” Lin Zhixiao had mentioned, and he grew increasingly jealous. To express his feelings, Gu Wei specially prepared a gift for Lin Zhixiao—a Canon music box shaped like a cello—but didn’t know how to give it to her. He used the excuse of fixing a lightbulb to invite her over.

When she checked the circuit board, she found a battery missing, not knowing Gu Wei had deliberately hidden it in his pocket. Just as Lin Zhixiao finished fixing the lights and was about to leave, Gu Wei made up another excuse to make her mop the floor. Though the floor was spotless, he insisted she had walked in with her shoes. While his reasoning was absurd, Lin Zhixiao knew about his cleanliness obsession and didn’t argue.

As she turned to get the mop, Gu Wei rushed from the study with the music box, only to find the living room empty again. Through the peephole, he saw Shao Jiang handing Lin Zhixiao a vinyl record of a sonata. In truth, Shao Jiang had come to suggest taking Lin Jianguo abroad for treatment. During a previous visit, he had noticed stomach cancer medication in the Lin family’s cabinet.

As a half-childhood friend of Lin Zhixiao’s, he hoped that no matter what happened in the future, she would always tell him first instead of treating him like an outsider. Gu Xiao was planning a party that night, and Xiao Shan called to invite Lin Zhixiao and Gu Wei. However, Gu Wei suddenly became distant, feeling inferior to Shao Jiang. When Lin Zhixiao called him, he was with Dr. Du in the hallway.

Gu Wei lied about having to work overtime, but Dr. Du accidentally mentioned that Dr. Yan was on duty, exposing the lie. Gu Wei glared at Dr. Du, who immediately shut up. Lin Zhixiao overheard and realized Gu Wei was making excuses. That afternoon, Shao Jiang visited Lin Zhixiao’s house again, suggesting that Lin Jianguo prepare to go abroad. He had already arranged a foreign expert team; they only needed the relevant medical records to start treatment.

Lin’s mother was overjoyed and agreed immediately, but Lin Jianguo felt going abroad for treatment was too rushed and firmly refused. Shao Jiang’s kindness was met with cold rejection, and he stood stunned. Seeing the awkwardness, Lin Zhixiao escorted him out. Meanwhile, Lin’s parents argued—each with a different view—until Lin’s mother stormed off in frustration.

Lin’s mother felt that her good intentions had gone unrewarded, so she returned to her room in a huff. Meanwhile, Lin Zhixiao stayed in the living room to talk with her father and find out why he refused to go abroad for treatment. In fact, Lin Jianguo wasn’t being unreasonable—he had considered many possibilities and was also taking the family’s financial situation into account. After all, going abroad would cost several times more than staying in China.

Just the initial tests alone would cost over 300,000 yuan. By the time they waited for a specialist consultation, not only would treatment be complicated and time-consuming overseas, but everyday living would also be a challenge. So deep down, Lin Jianguo was unwilling to go abroad. Regardless of whether his stomach condition could be cured, his top concern was ensuring his wife and daughter’s future security. Once she understood her father's true feelings, Lin Zhixiao went to comfort her mother.

She found her sitting by the bed crying non-stop and slowly revealing her hardships. As both a wife and a mother, she had been paying attention to her husband's condition while also managing his emotions. She had been living on edge lately, putting on a brave face for her daughter during the day. But what Lin Jianguo said that day had truly broken her heart. Lin Jianguo stood at the doorway eavesdropping on the mother-daughter conversation, feeling miserable.

To comfort her mother, Lin Zhixiao stayed in the room with her while Lin Jianguo slept on the sofa in the living room. That night, Lin Zhixiao looked at her mother sleeping and silently vowed to grow up, take responsibility, and take good care of her family. The next morning, Gu Wei came out of the operating room. He wanted to message Lin Zhixiao but canceled it after typing a line.

Shao Jiang arrived at the hospital to request detailed surgical records on Lin Jianguo from Gao Xi. However, the atmosphere shifted dramatically when Gu Wei entered. Upon learning Shao Jiang’s purpose, Gu Wei once again emphasized that only the patient and their relatives were entitled to the medical records. Just as he finished, Shao Jiang pointedly added that he would soon be a relative, then turned and left.

His words infuriated Gu Wei and puzzled Gao Xi, who believed that whether a patient sought treatment abroad was up to them. As doctors, they had no right to interfere, and she couldn’t understand why Gu Wei was so involved with Lin’s family. Gu Wei didn’t argue and simply left for his rounds.

Meanwhile, Lin Zhixiao prepared a hearty breakfast for her parents and gave both Lin Jianguo and her mother a stern talk, saying there was no rush to go abroad and that they should wait until everyone agreed on the plan. She had clearly become the head of the household. Coincidentally, Shao Jiang messaged Lin Zhixiao to meet at their usual place. She didn’t even finish breakfast, quickly got ready, and headed out.

At the doorway, she saw Lin Jianguo softening his tone to cheer up her mother. Though at first resistant, her mother eventually smiled through tears, and the two reconciled. At school, before class, Lin Zhixiao met with Shao Jiang alone and learned why he had left without a word and pursued studies abroad. Four years could change many people and things. Compared to the simple and direct girl she once was, Lin Zhixiao now had a new perspective on life.

She was grateful to her senior Shao Jiang for helping her gain confidence and fall in love with music. But her calmness unsettled Shao Jiang, as if the closeness between them had faded. Lin Zhixiao had a music class and, before leaving, explained that due to her father's attitude, they still needed to discuss a compromise regarding overseas treatment and couldn’t give him an answer yet.

That afternoon, after finishing surgery, Gu Wei drove home and happened to see Shao Jiang and Lin Zhixiao talking downstairs. Some of Shao Jiang’s suggestive gestures annoyed him deeply. At the bar, Gu Xiao found Gu Wei drinking alone and knew he was troubled by love. The iron tree that hadn’t bloomed in over thirty years had withered just as it was about to blossom.

To help Gu Wei forget Lin Zhixiao completely, Gu Xiao took him to a pre-opening party at a café. The scene rivaled that of a nightclub, though not Gu Wei’s style. Under Gu Xiao’s signals, women approached Gu Wei one after another, but he ignored them, drinking alone. Lin Zhixiao had thought it through and still wanted Gu Wei’s opinion on her father's treatment. But Gu Wei wasn’t home, and she couldn’t reach him—her calls went unanswered.

At the bar, when Gu Wei was surrounded by women, Gu Xiao took his phone and messaged Lin Zhixiao, pretending to be him, saying he was “busy. ” Xiao Shan saw women surrounding Gu Wei and misunderstood, snapping a few photos and sending them to Lin Zhixiao. When Lin Zhixiao woke up the next morning and saw the photos on WeChat, she was furious, unaware that Gu Wei had left the café shortly afterward.

Later, Lin Zhixiao attended Xiao Shan’s café opening celebration and ignored Gu Wei completely. Gu Wei hoped she wouldn’t act on emotion or make immature, impulsive decisions, especially since he was Lin Jianguo’s primary doctor. Gu Xiao arrived just in time to hear Lin Zhixiao confronting Gu Wei about drinking with others. He immediately criticized her, asking what right she had to interfere. That blunt remark snapped Lin Zhixiao back to reality.

So Lin Zhixiao didn’t argue and calmly announced her decision to take her father abroad for treatment. She said goodbye to Xiao Shan and left without looking back. Back at the hospital, Gu Wei called his friend Lao Xu to ask about seeking treatment abroad.

After the party ended, friends gradually left. Xiao Shan sat at the bar, staring at her phone, feeling responsible for the argument between Lin Zhixiao and Gu Wei. But Gu Xiao believed everyone was an adult and could handle their own problems. Taking advantage of his drunken state, he kissed Xiao Shan, and the two ended up spending the night together.

The next morning, Xiao Shan pretended nothing had happened and, when questioned, teased Gu Xiao about getting drunk and fooling around. This made Gu Xiao doubt himself. Though he had been badly hungover, his memory gradually returned, and he realized the woman from last night was indeed Xiao Shan. Because Lin Jianguo was in recovery, maintaining a good mood was more important than starting chemotherapy abroad, which could have adverse effects. At Gu Wei’s suggestion, Dr.

Du called Lin Zhixiao to explain that preparing for overseas treatment was not something that could be done overnight. For the sake of the patient’s health, the hospital hoped Lin Jianguo would be admitted first, and the transfer abroad could be arranged later. But Lin Zhixiao suspected that wasn’t Dr. Du’s own idea. The hospital had many patients, not just Lin Jianguo, so she guessed Gu Wei was behind it. She asked whose advice he was following. Dr.

Du panicked and tried to hand the phone to Gu Wei, but Gu Wei didn’t take it. The two kept dodging responsibility, and Lin Zhixiao, hearing the commotion, immediately saw through it and hung up. A few days later, Lin Zhixiao and her mother accompanied Lin Jianguo to complete his hospital admission. Gu Wei arrived at the ward and overheard Lin’s mother instructing her daughter.

She still didn’t fully trust domestic medical practices and planned to contact foreign specialists so they could head abroad immediately if needed. Lin Zhixiao gave no clear response—she was uncertain inside. Hearing this made Gu Wei feel bitter. He turned and left dejectedly, running into Gao Xi outside the office but said nothing about what had happened.

Gao Xi later called Lin Zhixiao into the hallway and expressed her frustration that they blindly trusted outsiders without recognizing what the doctors had done for them. Lin Zhixiao brought vegetarian wontons for Lin Jianguo, but after two bites, he felt nauseous and rushed to the bathroom to vomit. When she returned to the room, she overheard it from the doorway—her father’s health was clearly worsening. Lin Jianguo lied and said he finished everything.

Lin Zhixiao played along, pretending not to know, though her heart was in turmoil. Meanwhile, Lin Jianguo lay on the bed, turning his face away from his daughter, too ashamed to look at her—like a thief caught in the act. The father and daughter sat in silence—one sitting, one lying down—in a heavy stillness, with neither willing to break the ice. That night, Gu Wei passed by Lin Jianguo’s ward and couldn’t help entering.

He saw Lin Zhixiao asleep by the bed and touched her forehead and cheek, noticing signs of a mild fever. Just as he stepped out to get medicine, Lin Zhixiao was awakened by her father's sleep talk. She called her mother and, hearing a weak voice on the line, rushed home by taxi. Gu Wei followed closely behind.

As Lin Zhixiao reached for the doorbell, he stopped her, saying she wasn’t in good shape to see her mother and carried her back to his home. With his attentive care, her discomfort eased. He also visited her mother and found she had taken too many fever reducers, leading to drowsiness—nothing serious, and a night’s rest would suffice.

Upon hearing that Gu Wei had asked Nurse Chen Xiaowei to take care of Lin Jianguo in advance, Lin Zhixiao was very touched and thanked him. But Gu Wei suddenly asked why she hadn’t sought help from Shao Jiang earlier if they liked each other. Before he could finish, Lin Zhixiao cut in, saying she had feelings for someone else and no interest in Shao Jiang. The atmosphere grew a bit awkward.

Gu Wei, knowing how she felt, tried to hide his joy as he watched her take cold medicine, then went to the kitchen to make congee. Later in the night, he personally fed the congee to Lin Zhixiao. Seeing her drowsy state, he couldn’t help but smile. As Lin Zhixiao lay down again, she suddenly grabbed Gu Wei’s left hand and held it to her chest, refusing to let him go.

Gu Wei didn’t have the heart to wake her, so he stayed seated at the bedside. By the time Lin Zhixiao woke up, his whole arm had gone numb. She took the clothes Gu Wei had prepared and went to shower. He cleaned up in the kitchen, but then heard a scream. Lin Zhixiao, looking terrified, ran out of the bathroom with her face covered and lay on the bed crying, refusing to let Gu Wei see her.

Upon checking, Gu Wei found her face covered in red rashes—she had had an allergic reaction to the peanut congee. Lin Zhixiao felt she had become ugly, but Gu Wei tried his best to comfort her, saying she would always be the most beautiful in his eyes. His words stunned her. When their eyes met, their embrace turned subtly intimate.

Realizing this, Gu Wei quickly pulled away, nervously saying he’d go out to buy medicine, and dashed to the pharmacy downstairs. When Gu Wei returned with the medicine, Lin Zhixiao rushed to the door and accepted it through the gap without opening the door fully. Following his instructions, she took the medicine. She also wanted to know how he saw her, so she asked.

Gu Wei said she was like the smallest wildcat in the feline family—tiny and delicate in appearance, but strong inside. Seizing the moment, Gu Wei confessed his feelings to Lin Zhixiao. But she had already fallen asleep and didn’t hear a word. With no response from the room, he entered, sat by her bed, looked at her sleeping face, and softly said good night before heading to the study to continue working.

Not knowing how much time had passed, when Lin Zhixiao woke up, Gu Wei had already gone to work. Before leaving, he had left a note along with two thermal containers—one large and one small. The large one was a nourishing soup prepared for Lin Jianguo, while the small one contained plain porridge made for Lin Zhixiao.

In fact, the previous night, Gu Wei had already compiled a set of reference materials regarding treatment abroad, hoping Lin Zhixiao could consider them comprehensively based on her family’s situation. If she insisted on it, he would support her with all his might. At the hospital, Gu Wei explained the surgical plan to Dr. Du, but he kept coughing throughout. Dr. Du assumed it was a cold, only to hear Gu Wei claim he caught it from a kitten.

This left Dr. Du utterly confused, especially when he saw Gu Wei smiling, which deepened his bewilderment. After much deliberation, Lin Zhixiao brought the thermal container to the hospital and had a serious discussion with her parents about treatment options. Based on her suggestion, her mother happily agreed to continue treatment in the country. Coincidentally, Gu Wei arrived at the ward door and overheard their conversation, feeling gratified. When Lin Zhixiao turned and saw him, they exchanged smiles.

Once Lin Jianguo’s test results came out, Gu Wei shared the good news with Lin Zhixiao and her mother. According to the tumor marker levels, the chemotherapy had worked far better than expected, confirming that their decision to stay and receive treatment locally was completely correct. Lin’s mother was overjoyed and rushed to Lin Jianguo, while Lin Zhixiao couldn’t help shedding tears of excitement and expressed her thanks.

Just as Lin Zhixiao was about to hang up the phone, Gu Wei suddenly apologized for his previous attitude, explaining that it was due to work pressure and a mistaken assumption that she was dating Shao Jiang. Lin Zhixiao was stunned by his words and nervously asked what he meant. Gu Wei didn’t elaborate but simply emphasized the literal meaning. Dr. Du happened to enter the office, so Gu Wei had to end the call.

Lin Zhixiao couldn’t hide her happiness and later excitedly shared the news with Gu Xiao. Xiao Shan, aware that Lin Zhixiao’s real intention in thanking Gu Wei was to get closer to him, suggested she express her gratitude in a romantic and interesting way—by using her musical talents to play a piece for him.

At first, Lin Zhixiao strongly opposed the idea, but after thinking it over at home, she mustered her courage, carried her cello to the hospital, and said she wanted to perform a piece as thanks. On the rooftop, Gu Wei listened to her music in the evening breeze, unconsciously smiling. Without a thousand words, Lin Zhixiao played the “Polka” for Gu Wei—simple and unpretentious—just like her feelings for him, trusting that he could hear her heart through the music.

As night fell and light rain began to drizzle, Gu Wei held Lin Zhixiao’s hand and walked her to the subway station. While waiting, Lin Zhixiao curiously asked if he had ever walked someone else there before, and what it would mean if she wasn’t just a patient’s family member. However, the sound of the train interrupted their conversation.

Gu Wei didn’t quite catch her question and just told her to wait, then went to the vending machine and bought a bottle of cola. He wrote a confession on the bottle and told Lin Zhixiao to drink it when she got home. But Lin Zhixiao didn’t think much of it and didn’t notice the words on the bottle. She simply couldn’t bring herself to drink the gift Gu Wei had given her, thus missing the confession. Meanwhile, Dr.

Du came to inform Gu Wei about a medical conference scheduled for tomorrow. When Gu Wei learned it was to be held in the lecture hall of their alma mater, he couldn’t hide his smile, eager to see Lin Zhixiao again. Outside the classroom, Lin Zhixiao happened to run into Gao Xi as she waited for Gu Wei. Hospital colleagues were going out for dinner and invited her to join. Under their warm invitation, Lin Zhixiao went with them.

While Gu Wei stepped out to take a call, Dr. Yan took the chance to introduce Lin Zhixiao’s father as a chemotherapy patient under Gao Xi, with Gu Wei as the lead surgeon. Lin Zhixiao stood to toast Gao Xi. Although Gao Xi responded politely, she didn’t drink a drop. Dr. Yan joked that Gao Xi and Gu Wei were considered a golden couple in the hospital and would have to drink toasts at their wedding someday.

Hearing this, Lin Zhixiao felt dejected and made an excuse to leave early. When Gu Wei returned to his seat, he noticed Lin Zhixiao was gone. Dr. Du discreetly sent a text explaining what happened. While the others didn’t realize the seriousness of the situation, Gu Wei’s face turned grim. He openly reprimanded Dr. Yan and declared that Lin Zhixiao was his girlfriend.

Gao Xi looked at Gu Wei in shock, not expecting things between him and Lin Zhixiao to progress so quickly. The department head quickly tried to smooth things over, but Gu Wei emphasized again that he didn’t want to hear any more rumors pairing him with Gao Xi. Not only did it cause misunderstandings, but it also hurt his girlfriend. With teary eyes, Lin Zhixiao walked home, haunted by the rumors between Gu Wei and Gao Xi.

She assumed Gu Wei had been toying with her feelings or that she had simply been too self-absorbed. Just then, Gu Wei came running after her, determined to explain. He pulled her into his arms and let her listen to the sound of his heartbeat. In Gu Wei’s embrace, Lin Zhixiao gradually felt his deep affection, which gave Gu Wei the courage to take out a bracelet he had prepared beforehand—a token of their love.

The bracelet was a keepsake from his grandmother meant for his future wife, a witness of an older generation’s love. By personally giving it to Lin Zhixiao, Gu Wei had already decided she was the one he wanted to spend his life with.

Moved by Gu Wei’s sincere confession, Lin Zhixiao smiled through her tears and responded the same way, bringing their past crushes to a happy conclusion. After their brief moment of joy, they held hands and walked home together. That night, Lin Zhixiao lay in bed, too excited to sleep. She suddenly remembered Gu Wei’s reminder that she hadn’t drunk the cola.

She took a few sips and saw a line of small text at the bottom: “Lin Zhixiao, I like you,” followed by a question about her feelings. The confession she could’ve seen the night before had been delayed until today because of her own oversight. Lin Zhixiao downed the rest of the cola in one go and wrote “Me Too” on the bottle with a black marker, then sent Gu Wei a photo.

Gu Wei looked at the photo and grinned like a boy experiencing first love. But his smile slowly faded as Gao Xi texted him, asking to meet downstairs. Tipsy, Gao Xi questioned why Gu Wei chose Lin Zhixiao. But love is ruled by the heart. Gu Wei had considered dating Gao Xi, but the thought quickly passed because they simply weren’t right for each other.

In Gu Wei’s eyes, Gao Xi was like a mirror of himself—too similar for romance to blossom. Their relationship naturally ended at friendship. Gao Xi, proud and strong as always, refused to show weakness in front of Gu Wei. She cried silently with her back to him, only calling someone across the ocean once she had left the neighborhood.

The next morning, Lin Zhixiao woke up to Gu Wei’s text and went to the balcony to greet him over the phone. Though it seemed like they were just ordinary neighbors, their exchanged glances were full of love. Gu Wei greeted her as a boyfriend would, and she responded the same way.   Thanks to Gu Wei, Lin Zhixiao was in a great mood all day.

Not long after arriving at school, she couldn’t resist messaging him to ask about his plans. Yin Xi noticed Lin Zhixiao giggling at her phone and guessed she had a boyfriend. Under questioning from Yin Xi and Xiao Shan, Lin Zhixiao proudly admitted she was dating Gu Wei and even bragged that they were going to the movies that afternoon.

Deputy Director Gao suddenly approached Gu Wei, saying that Gao Xi had applied for a leave to go abroad and hoped Gu Wei could talk to her. Gu Wei, understanding the real reason, politely declined. Dr. Du then came to inform him about an emergency surgery, forcing Gu Wei to cancel the movie date. Lin Zhixiao waited from afternoon until nightfall—three full hours—sitting silently in the cinema lobby until the crowd dispersed.

Gu Wei rushed over and explained the reason, feeling deeply guilty. Fortunately, Lin Zhixiao didn’t blame him. She joked that dating a doctor meant always being ready to search for a missing person.   Holding Gu Wei’s hand, Lin Zhixiao approached the ticket counter and proudly introduced him to the cashier, saying he hadn’t stood her up and that he was incredibly handsome.

On the drive home, Lin Zhixiao stared at Gu Wei like a lovesick girl, still amazed that she had such an extraordinary boyfriend. However, Gu Wei always treated Lin Zhixiao like a little girl—protective and thoughtful in every way—which made her a bit annoyed. She wanted to be seen not just as cute but as a mature, intelligent woman. So back at home, she stared at herself in the mirror repeatedly, growing more and more disheartened.

After a few comforting messages from Gu Wei, she finally felt better. Since their last movie date had fallen through, they rescheduled for the weekend. Xiao Shan found this unreliable and came up with a plan: she, Yin Xi, and Lin Zhixiao would each bring their boyfriends for a group outing, secretly supporting Lin Zhixiao. To eliminate any worries, Xiao Shan personally called Gu Wei and invited him out. He agreed.

At first, Gu Xiao refused to go but quickly gave in under Xiao Shan’s threats. On the day of the date, the six of them set off in two cars. Lin Zhixiao had dressed up carefully—wearing a ladylike dress, heavy makeup, and comically wobbly high heels. In the back seat, Yin Xi and Jin Shi flirted on purpose, following Xiao Shan’s instructions. Not to be outdone, Lin Zhixiao tried to show affection with Gu Wei.

As if sensing her intent, Gu Wei naturally held her hand.   They arrived at their destination, which turned out to be the ancient town Lin Zhixiao had always longed to visit. Gu Wei noticed she was struggling with the heels and went to buy her a pair of purple embroidered flat shoes. Watching from the side, Xiao Shan and Yin Xi couldn’t help laughing.

Lin Zhixiao understood Gu Wei’s straight-man aesthetics and pretended to love the shoes while finding an excuse not to wear them. Since the heels were so uncomfortable, Xiao Shan used transparent tape as a makeshift fix, which only made it look more ridiculous. After touring the scenic spots, the couples, exhausted, sat down at a restaurant. Xiao Shan deliberately ordered a couple’s meal based on a local legend—only couples who eat a single noodle together would grow old together.

Jin Shi and Yin Xi didn’t want to be left behind and also ordered the couple’s set. When Xiao Shan urged Lin Zhixiao to join in, Gu Wei didn’t react at all, his expression turning slightly serious.

Lin Zhixiao was never one to admit defeat, so she suggested to Gu Wei that they share a bowl of noodles. But Gu Wei suddenly stared at Lin Zhixiao and asked her to close her eyes. Xiao Shan and the others saw this and mistakenly thought Gu Wei was going to kiss Lin Zhixiao. Lin Zhixiao, like everyone else present, thought the same, and she leaned in with a look of anticipation.

Unfortunately, Gu Wei, the ever-clueless straight man, had no such intentions. He reached out and tore off Lin Zhixiao’s double eyelid tape. Immersed in the sweetness of the moment, Lin Zhixiao was abruptly brought back to reality. Embarrassed and speechless, she found an excuse to run off. Gu Wei, completely unaware of how awkward his actions had been, remained in place, saying nothing.

Xiao Shan and Yin Xi followed her, analyzing that Gu Wei probably held back from being affectionate due to his pride. They decided that the three couples should split up and stroll around. Sure enough, once Gu Wei and Lin Zhixiao were alone, his tightly strung nerves finally relaxed, and he no longer appeared so reserved. Lin Zhixiao took this date very seriously and wanted to appear mature and composed.

As a result, she suffered the pain of wearing high heels. After walking the entire day, the backs of her heels were red and swollen. Gu Wei took the initiative to help her change into embroidered shoes and gently massaged her ankles, repeatedly reminding her of the harm high heels could do to the bones. Seeing Lin Zhixiao nod and respond obediently, Gu Wei then took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.

The two sat side by side, quietly waiting for the fireworks show to begin. As colorful fireworks lit up the sky, Lin Zhixiao quickly closed her eyes to make a wish. Afterward, she asked Gu Wei about his wish, and he said his wish had already come true—because his greatest wish was sitting right next to him. Gu Wei’s unintentional romantic words hit Lin Zhixiao right in the heart.

As the fireworks continued to bloom, nearly lighting up the entire night sky, Gu Wei and Lin Zhixiao locked eyes affectionately and sealed their love with a kiss under the dark night. Meanwhile, Shao Jiang had just completed a perfect performance. His agent told him the next event was at Huaqing University, and they urgently needed a cellist. While scrolling through his Moments feed, Shao Jiang saw a photo of Lin Zhixiao and Gu Wei together and felt deeply disappointed.

Although Lin Zhixiao and Gu Wei had established their romantic relationship, they hadn’t told their parents. As a result, dating felt like a guerrilla mission, always on alert to avoid being caught by their elders. After the holiday, Lin Zhixiao needed to return to school. She hurried downstairs and quickly jumped into Gu Wei’s car, trying not to be spotted by her mother. On the way to school, Gu Wei had prepared breakfast for Lin Zhixiao.

She was touched to learn that he had personally made the sandwich. Lin Zhixiao also ordered matching couple shirts online. Gu Wei found them childish and said he would never wear them. Just then, Shao Jiang came over to greet Lin Zhixiao and mentioned he had already recommended her to perform on stage. Lin Zhixiao happily accepted Shao Jiang’s invitation.

After all, a successful performance might lead to a contract with the company, and becoming a cellist was her lifelong dream. Hearing that Shao Jiang would be rehearsing with her alone made Gu Wei’s expression darken. Lin Zhixiao noticed and repeatedly emphasized after Shao Jiang left that he was just her senior and that she had only ever had feelings for Gu Wei.

Although Gu Wei saw Shao Jiang as a rival in love, he was reasonable enough to understand that the performance would greatly impact Lin Zhixiao’s career. So he fully supported her decision. Back at the hospital, Gu Wei received the couple’s shirts that Lin Zhixiao had bought. At the same time, he overheard gossip about Xiao Liu’s girlfriend being stolen by her first love, which triggered a sense of crisis in him.

After work, he wore the couple’s shirt and went to pick up Lin Zhixiao from school. After rehearsal in the music room, Shao Jiang deliberately engaged Lin Zhixiao in a discussion about music, making it hard for her to leave. Gu Wei entered the music room and affectionately called her "Xiaoxiao. " Overjoyed, Lin Zhixiao jumped into his arms, and he spun her around several times. Noticing Gu Wei wearing the couple’s shirt made Lin Zhixiao even happier.

She started discussing where to have dinner that night. Shao Jiang, unfazed about being a third wheel, followed them to the restaurant. Each of the three had their own thoughts, and the atmosphere was a bit awkward. Gu Wei took off his jacket to reveal the matching shirt and made sure Shao Jiang saw it. Their conversation was filled with tension.

Unwilling to back down, Shao Jiang brought up his shared past with Lin Zhixiao, leaving Gu Wei with no chance to speak. While Lin Zhixiao went to the restroom, Gu Wei quickly stated that Lin Zhixiao was his girlfriend. But Shao Jiang replied that as long as they weren’t married, he still had a chance to pursue her. Just then, Gu Wei received a call from the hospital about an emergency, and he had to rush back.

Shao Jiang, more than willing, offered to stay and eat with Lin Zhixiao. But Gu Wei, unwilling to leave his girlfriend alone with a rival, hailed a cab and sent Lin Zhixiao home. Shao Jiang received a message from her and left disappointed. Elsewhere, Gu Wei’s father came home and mentioned that Gao Xi had suddenly taken leave. From Deputy Director Gao, he learned this likely had something to do with Gu Wei. Gu Wei’s mother had already regarded Gao Xi as her future daughter-in-law, so she took the initiative to call Gao Xi to find out what was going on.

After dinner, Lin Zhixiao returned to the school music room to continue practicing with Shao Jiang. Since her phone was on silent mode, Gu Wei’s calls went unanswered. By the time evening came, Lin Zhixiao picked up her phone and found many missed calls. She quickly called back and explained the situation. Gu Wei had originally invited her to dinner the next evening, but Lin Zhixiao was too busy to make it. Though disappointed, Gu Wei said he understood.

His mother then called and said the daughter of an old friend had gastritis and wanted a consultation. Since Gu Wei had no plans the next day, he readily agreed. That night, Gu Wei sat alone in the living room, his mind filled with images of Lin Zhixiao and Shao Jiang, along with Shao Jiang’s taunting remarks about the age gap. He felt uneasy. He tried calling Lin Zhixiao again, but still couldn't reach her.

Growing increasingly anxious and checking the time repeatedly, he was startled when the doorbell suddenly rang. Lin Zhixiao rushed in, hugged Gu Wei, and apologized. She had brought chicken soup and added cilantro to it. Just then, Shao Jiang messaged Lin Zhixiao saying the band missed her. Lin Zhixiao sent him a voice note teasing his preferences, and Gu Wei, now extremely jealous, seriously told her that he didn’t like cilantro at all.

Realizing Gu Wei was jealous, Lin Zhixiao playfully teased him. Though Gu Wei continued to deny it, his jealousy was obvious. That night, Gu Wei tossed and turned, unable to sleep, while Lin Zhixiao slept peacefully. The next morning, she woke up refreshed and messaged Gu Wei to ask if he’d take her to school. To her surprise, Gu Wei declined, saying he had other plans. This made Lin Zhixiao distracted during rehearsal and prone to mistakes.

Noticing her bad mood, Shao Jiang told her to take a break and seized the chance to express his feelings. He said that if he hadn’t gone abroad back then, they might already be together. But Lin Zhixiao rejected this idea, saying that her feelings for Shao Jiang in high school were more like admiration for an older brother—not romantic love like what she had for Gu Wei.

Shao Jiang was inexplicably saddened by her response, but at least everything was now out in the open. Lin Zhixiao didn’t know how to comfort him. Just then, she received a call from Xiao Shan, who told her that Gu Wei hadn’t gone to work but was actually on a blind date at a café. Lin Zhixiao was instantly furious. She rushed to the café and hid behind a fish tank with Xiao Shan to observe.

In fact, Gu Wei had already explained to the woman that he had a girlfriend, though he hadn’t told his family yet. Xiao Shan had to leave for an emergency and warned Lin Zhixiao not to act impulsively. Gu Wei noticed Lin Zhixiao hiding behind the fish tank and deliberately said things to make her jealous. As expected, Lin Zhixiao was furious.

Gu Xiao walked over and further agitated her by saying that Gu Wei had taken a liking to the female PhD student. Unable to hold back, Lin Zhixiao splashed water on Gu Xiao and stormed out. Gu Wei ran after her and explained everything from the beginning. When she learned that Gu Wei’s actions were driven by jealousy, Lin Zhixiao felt a bit better but pretended to stay mad. To punish him, she bought cilantro-flavored ice cream.

Gu Wei reluctantly took a bite, and Lin Zhixiao couldn’t help but laugh, wiping the corner of his mouth with a tissue. The two made up. That night, back home, Gu Wei took out his published paper and showed that he had written Lin Zhixiao’s name at the end of it. He told her he wasn’t part of her past, but he would be part of her present and future. Lin Zhixiao was moved to tears, and they hugged.

Later, Gu Wei received a call from his parents and joined them for a meal. They had already heard about Lin Zhixiao from Gao Xi and were initially opposed. But Gu Wei firmly said they didn’t need to accept her immediately, just give it time. Seeing his determination, his parents agreed to observe Lin Zhixiao more before forming any conclusions. After dinner with Xiao Shan, Lin Zhixiao packed three dishes and brought them to the hospital.

She couldn’t help but gush about Gu Wei. While the couple flirted in the office, Gu Wei suddenly received a call from Nurse Chen Xiaowei about an emergency surgery. Lin Zhixiao watched him rush out, feeling both distressed and proud of his dedication to work. After work, Lin Zhixiao heard the door open and knew Gu Wei was back.

She excitedly grabbed the Polaroid camera to find him and mentioned how Yin Xi and her boyfriend constantly posted sweet photos online. At first, Gu Wei didn’t know how to use the camera, but with Lin Zhixiao’s help, he quickly got into it. Since Lin Zhixiao thought Gu Wei’s candid shots were awful, she took a few close-up photos of him herself. The two teased and played, full of sweetness.

After their photo session, it was already late, and Gu Wei still had work to do. Lin Zhixiao kissed him before leaving but turned back, unwilling to part, and insisted on making him a late-night snack. But Lin Zhixiao wasn’t good at cooking, so the task still fell to Gu Wei. While the porridge cooked in the kitchen, Gu Wei brought out a photo album and shared it with Lin Zhixiao, introducing her to his parents. Lin Zhixiao thought Gu Wei’s parents looked dignified and attractive, saying that Gu Wei had inherited all their best traits—making her proud once again.

Gu Wei introduced Lin Zhixiao to his parents and his cousin’s daughter, Little June, proudly stating that their family had good genes. Lin Zhixiao couldn’t help but feel envious. While the two of them were teasing each other playfully on the couch, the plain congee on the stove was already done cooking. Knowing Lin Zhixiao was allergic to peanuts, Gu Wei had specially removed them.

Lin Zhixiao complained that there wasn’t even any meat in the congee—only for Gu Wei to kiss her suddenly. That night, Lin Zhixiao lay in bed, sweetly and shyly replaying the moment, while Gu Wei stayed up late in the study translating documents. The next morning, Lin Zhixiao sat like a love-struck statue in the library, waiting for a message from Gu Wei, her infatuated expression drawing teasing from Yin Xi.

Actually, Yin Xi was the same with her boyfriend—whenever he wasn’t around, she would become restless and anxious, and she typically kept a tight rein on him, being both overbearing and dominant. That day, when Jin Shi texted saying he was busy, Lin Zhixiao took Yin Xi to a nearby hotpot restaurant, only to unexpectedly run into Jin Shi, who was laughing and chatting with a few classmates at the table.

Yin Xi was furious that Jin Shi had lied to her, but Jin Shi didn’t see it as a problem. Instead, he accused her of being too controlling—always expecting him to respond to her calls no matter how busy he was, constantly checking in via phone and video. Over time, Jin Shi felt like he had lost his personal freedom and could no longer tolerate being submissive. The two had a major argument, and parted on bad terms.

Yin Xi initiated the breakup, and Jin Shi, despite Lin Zhixiao’s attempts to stop him, agreed decisively and without hesitation. Meanwhile, Xiao Shan’s ex-boyfriend showed up with gifts trying to get back together. But Xiao Shan was not one to revisit old flames—once she made a decision, there was no turning back. Unfortunately, he refused to give up, and while he was pestering her, Gu Xiao saw the scene, rushed over, and the two men got into a fight.

Both were injured. As Xiao Shan tended to Gu Xiao’s wounds, he suddenly confessed his feelings, stunning her and making her run away. Lin Zhixiao was upset on Yin Xi’s behalf and went to the hospital to vent to Gu Wei. In her opinion, the two had grown up together with deep feelings, the model couple in everyone’s eyes. Their sudden breakup made her question whether love was truly lasting or reliable.

Gu Wei listened silently the whole time until Lin Zhixiao noticed how tired he looked. Gu Wei believed love couldn’t be judged by a single definition. Maybe Jin Shi truly felt miserable—after all, no one wants to be forced into doing things they don’t want to do. Gu Wei had already noticed something was off during their previous group outing.

Moreover, Yin Xi had more faults in the matter—knowing her boyfriend was busy, she still insisted on constant check-ins and clinging to him at all times. Even couples needed personal space. Gu Wei’s analysis made Lin Zhixiao self-reflect and feel he might be indirectly criticizing her for being too clingy. Yin Xi was very down after the breakup, and Xiao Shan suggested the three of them go party at a bar.

Jin Shi wasn’t in the mood to play games and originally wanted to call Yin Xi, but was scolded in turn by Xiao Shan and Lin Zhixiao. Yin Xi solemnly stated that she was no longer Jin Shi’s girlfriend and could live however she wanted from now on. Gu Wei called Lin Zhixiao and, hearing the noisy background, immediately knew she was at a bar.

Lin Zhixiao was already drunk and, before she could speak, Xiao Shan snatched her phone and hung up. Unable to reach her, Gu Wei called Gu Xiao and asked which bar Xiao Shan usually went to. Xiao Shan and Yin Xi went dancing, leaving Lin Zhixiao alone in a booth. A man came over to hit on her, startling her half-sober.

When Gu Wei arrived at the bar, he overheard Lin Zhixiao calling herself an old single man in front of the stranger, and furiously shouted her full name. The man, seeing Gu Wei’s furious expression, quickly backed off. Gu Wei, with a darkened face, took off his coat to wrap Lin Zhixiao and carried her out in a princess hold, giving a few instructions to the staff before leaving.

When Xiao Shan and Yin Xi came back and couldn’t find Lin Zhixiao, they asked the staff and finally learned that Gu Wei had taken her, allowing them to breathe a sigh of relief and leave together. Gu Wei drove Lin Zhixiao home, scolding her along the way not to go to bars again. But Lin Zhixiao suddenly talked back, annoyed, repeating that couples should have personal space and not interfere with each other’s lives.

Gu Wei was left speechless by her retort, and Lin Zhixiao even asked to get out and walk back on her own. Xiao Shan brought Yin Xi home, and downstairs, they saw Gu Xiao. She asked Yin Xi to go up first. Gu Xiao confessed to Xiao Shan again, shedding his usual playboy image and finally winning her heart. With both of them ready to leave their “player” days behind, it seemed they were approaching this relationship sincerely.

During the lunch break, Gu Wei tried messaging Lin Zhixiao but got no response, so he contacted Xiao Shan through Gu Xiao. He told Xiao Shan he was planning a surprise for Lin Zhixiao and needed her help. Xiao Shan hesitated but agreed, inviting Lin Zhixiao on a trip under her own name. She said she had already booked a countryside guesthouse and told Lin Zhixiao to pack quickly, then hung up.

But Lin Zhixiao didn’t see Xiao Shan; instead, she saw Gu Wei show up with breakfast, acting pitiful and saying sweet words to coax her. Lin Zhixiao had already cooled down and was amused by Gu Wei’s flattery, realizing how easily she softened.

Gu Wei took the opportunity to load Lin Zhixiao’s luggage into the trunk and drove her to the countryside guesthouse. Lin Zhixiao couldn’t help but fantasize about the surprise, imagining Gu Wei as a romantic, generous CEO straight out of a novel. Once she calmed down, Lin Zhixiao asked about the destination. Gu Wei said that the hospital had recently been discussing a meteor shower and he wanted to take her somewhere beautiful to watch the stars.

It wasn’t a famous scenic spot, but it was a popular dating destination among couples. At the guesthouse reception, they originally requested two rooms, but the owner said there was only one deluxe couple’s room left. Both Gu Wei and Lin Zhixiao felt awkward but agreed to stay. As they walked away, they overheard the owner using the same line on other guests.

Before entering the room, Gu Wei sensed something inappropriate inside and asked Lin Zhixiao to wait at the door while he went in to check. In reality, he was cleaning up rose petals arranged in a heart shape and adult products scattered on the bed. Flustered, he tidied up as best he could before letting Lin Zhixiao in.

When Lin Zhixiao tried to sit on the sofa, Gu Wei stopped her and disinfected the sofa with sanitizer, making Lin Zhixiao think his cleanliness obsession was even worse than she thought. She recalled a “Lovers’ Bridge” mentioned in the brochure and suggested they go. As she was speaking, her hand accidentally touched a condom that had fallen by the sofa corner.

Thinking Gu Wei had bought it for them, she quickly covered it with a pillow and, using the excuse of changing clothes, called Xiao Shan the moment Gu Wei left. Xiao Shan told her that when lovers are in the moment, intimacy is natural, and encouraged her to be brave. But Yin Xi said if Lin Zhixiao wasn’t ready, she could totally say no—Dr. Gu was a mature and dependable man and would surely understand.

After the call, Lin Zhixiao calmed herself and went with Gu Wei to the Lovers’ Bridge. With his company, she overcame her fear of heights and made it to the other side. Back at the guesthouse after dinner, the atmosphere was awkward with nothing to do. Unexpectedly, Gu Wei suggested reading and brought out several medical books.

Seeing Lin Zhixiao’s displeased face, Gu Wei realized it wasn’t a great idea and turned on the TV instead—only for it to be playing a nature documentary. Lin Zhixiao, trying to avoid the awkwardness, went to shower. Hearing her scream, Gu Wei rushed in, which only made her scream louder. Apologizing profusely, he closed the door and eventually decided to book another room at the front desk.

Though the owner claimed he was just trying to help young couples, Gu Wei insisted love should grow naturally and not be rushed. Meanwhile, Xiao Shan and Yin Xi were eagerly wondering if Lin Zhixiao would finally succeed romantically. They wanted to call and ask, but also didn’t want to disturb. Eventually, Xiao Shan gave in and called. But hearing Lin Zhixiao’s disappointed tone, she was let down—clearly, things hadn’t progressed.

Lin Zhixiao admitted she and Gu Wei were sleeping separately. Xiao Shan urged her to put on makeup and go sleep with Gu Wei in the same bed. But Lin Zhixiao thought that would be embarrassing. What bothered her most was that even after Gu Wei had seen her showering, he showed no interest and calmly got another room. She feared he had lost interest in her.

That night, thunder and lightning struck, and Yin Xi and Xiao Shan texted Lin Zhixiao, telling her to pretend she was scared and go to Gu Wei—but she refused. Meanwhile, Gu Wei began to worry about Lin Zhixiao. Just as he was about to head out, the power went out at the guesthouse, scaring many couples into the hallway. Gu Wei quickly stepped out to look for Lin Zhixiao and found her there.

He pulled her into his arms, comforting her gently. Back in the room, Gu Wei dried her hair with a towel. Lin Zhixiao, unable to hold back, asked why he wasn’t interested in her. Gu Wei explained he didn’t think sex was less important than love, but he disliked the modern rush into intimacy. He wanted their relationship to be serious and respectful, not something casual. Lin Zhixiao agreed with Gu Wei’s values.

She didn’t think he was old-fashioned—rather, she saw him as reliable and responsible. As night deepened, Lin Zhixiao slowly fell asleep by Gu Wei’s side. The next morning, Gu Wei took a photo of her sleeping and gently woke her up to watch the sunrise. Lin Zhixiao, still lazing in bed, insisted on being kissed awake, creating a sweet and loving scene. The two went to the rooftop of the guesthouse and sat together watching the sunrise.

Gu Wei said this place was meaningful to him—it was where he first did rural medical service. Whenever he was unhappy, he would come here to look at the stars or sunrise to find peace and remind himself of his goal to be an excellent doctor. Following Gu Wei’s gaze, Lin Zhixiao saw a service station down the hill, with a familiar-looking elementary school nearby. She suddenly remembered having volunteered here before.

Back then, as a freshman in college, she had brought a child to see a doctor—one with very low emotional intelligence. Gu Wei’s expression changed subtly upon hearing this.

In Lin Zhixiao’s memory, although that doctor had a dull personality, he was extremely dedicated and always put the patient’s interests first. The more details Lin Zhixiao described, the stranger Gu Wei’s expression became. Eventually, he admitted that he was the low-EQ doctor she was talking about. Back then, he was tall and overweight, which is why Lin Zhixiao didn’t recognize him at all. At first, Lin Zhixiao didn’t believe it.

After all, the Gu Wei she knew now had a proportionate figure and was handsome—completely different from that doctor three years ago. But when Gu Wei took out photos from his phone, it confirmed what he said. Lin Zhixiao found it unbelievable; it turned out their fate had been sealed long ago. Thinking about it like that, Lin Zhixiao gradually fell in love with this place.

Although she had once disliked it, after meeting Gu Wei, she finally understood what it meant to love everything about someone. Therefore, she and Gu Wei made a pact to come here every year to watch the sunrise and stars. Under the morning glow, they embraced and kissed affectionately. After the trip, on the way home, Lin Zhixiao couldn’t help teasing Gu Wei, saying he had liked her long ago. Gu Wei methodically refuted each point, leaving Lin Zhixiao speechless.

She simply closed her eyes and pretended to sleep. Seeing her being playful again, Gu Wei smiled indulgently, pulled the car over, gave her a light kiss, and confessed that he had indeed fallen for her first. As expected, Lin Zhixiao immediately opened her eyes. Gu Wei dropped Lin Zhixiao off downstairs at her home. They hugged reluctantly. Coincidentally, Lin Jianguo and his wife were returning from grocery shopping.

Lin Zhixiao quickly pulled away from Gu Wei, pretending she almost fell while wearing high heels. Fortunately, Gu Wei reacted quickly. Lin’s mother believed her, but Lin Jianguo stared at Gu Wei suspiciously, saying nothing on the surface, but inwardly full of doubt. During dinner, Lin’s mother curiously asked why Lin Zhixiao hadn’t posted on social media during her trip and noticed she was wearing an outdated Buddhist prayer bead bracelet. Lin Zhixiao made up an excuse to avoid suspicion.

Feeling guilty, she didn’t dare meet her father’s questioning gaze and rushed back to her room to practice the cello after dinner. Lin Jianguo became suspicious, thinking Lin Zhixiao was likely dating Gu Wei. Lin’s mother didn’t think there was a problem and actually admired Gu Wei for being young and promising. If he liked their daughter, it would be a blessing.

Besides, Lin Zhixiao was at the right age for love, so it wouldn’t be surprising if she had someone she liked. Deputy Director Gao informed Gu Wei of the hospital’s decision to send him to Berlin, Germany, for academic exchange—a rare training opportunity that would help him develop his career upon return. Gu Wei couldn’t decide right away, so he called Lin Zhixiao and asked her to come over that evening.

Before they could finish talking, Lin Jianguo suddenly entered from outside. Lin Zhixiao quickly hung up the call. That night, she sneakily slipped out, unaware that Lin Jianguo was watching from behind. As she stood by the door, Gu Wei came out of the elevator and happened to spot Lin Jianguo hiding inside. To prevent Lin Jianguo from getting the wrong idea, Gu Wei pretended to argue with Lin Zhixiao. Seeing Gu Wei give her a signal, she cooperated seamlessly.

Lin Jianguo, unable to listen anymore, stepped out under the guise of educating Lin Zhixiao, deliberately elevating Gu Wei as an elder and hinting that he shouldn’t have improper thoughts about her, showing his protectiveness as a father. Gu Wei felt awkward and didn’t press further—the matter he wanted to discuss with Lin Zhixiao that night had to be postponed. Since Lin Jianguo was watching too closely, Lin Zhixiao messaged Gu Wei as soon as she returned to her room.

They couldn’t meet openly for the time being and had to rely on texting. The next day at the school library, Lin Zhixiao learned that Yin Xi and Jin Shi hadn’t been in contact for a while, indicating their chances of getting back together were slim. Although Yin Xi was still hoping Jin Shi would make the first move, days passed with no news, leaving her increasingly disappointed.

She saw Lin Zhixiao’s small notebook, which detailed her romantic schedule with Gu Wei and all the tasks for each time period. Yin Xi couldn’t help teasing her, saying that if she put the same effort into studying, she’d have been top of the school. In truth, Lin Zhixiao had recently spent a lot of time practicing in the music room, so she had little time alone with Gu Wei. She could only steal brief moments to enjoy their romance.

Yin Xi completely understood and then mentioned Shao Jiang’s agent, An Fei, saying that An Fei had liked Shao Jiang for many years. Just as she finished speaking, Shao Jiang walked in and asked Lin Zhixiao to step outside. He gave her two concert tickets, intending to invite her parents to watch. Thinking of Gu Wei, Lin Zhixiao shyly asked for one more ticket.

Since they had cleared the air last time, she and Shao Jiang had returned to being friends and next-door neighbors. Lin Zhixiao went to the hospital to see Gu Wei and happily showed him the concert tickets, excited as it was her first time performing as a cellist. Gu Wei felt warmth in his heart when he saw her detailed romance schedule and gently kissed her.

As Lin Zhixiao was placing the booklet on the table, she suddenly noticed an application form for an overseas medical training program. Gu Wei instinctively tried to cover it up, but Lin Zhixiao had already seen it. Realizing he couldn’t hide it anymore, he admitted that the overseas assignment required him to go to Germany for a year and that he was still considering it. Lin Zhixiao was at a loss—the news came too suddenly. She made an excuse and left.

Because of the potential assignment in Germany, Lin Zhixiao tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. Gu Wei was no different. He kept staring at the romance schedule Lin Zhixiao made, deeply moved. He wanted to call and tell her he wouldn’t go to Germany, but when he picked up his phone, he didn’t have the courage to dial her number. Xiao Shan and Yin Xi, knowing the situation, gave Lin Zhixiao various suggestions.

They unexpectedly inspired her to consider the idea of going abroad with Gu Wei. However, when she got home and looked up the procedures online, she found it was far more complicated than she had imagined. She sat disappointed in front of her computer. Meanwhile, Gu Wei kept looking at the overseas training contract, still hesitating. After breakfast, Lin Zhixiao left the concert tickets for her parents. However, Lin Jianguo misunderstood, thinking she was dating Shao Jiang.

To find out the truth, he put on a hat and went to the school, hiding outside to observe Lin Zhixiao and Shao Jiang. In the music room, Shao Jiang crouched and looked up at Lin Zhixiao. Although he couldn’t hear their conversation, the scene was misleading. When Lin Zhixiao and the others finished practice and left the music room, Lin Jianguo went in, convinced that Shao Jiang was his future son-in-law.

He praised him at first, then indirectly asked about his plans. Shao Jiang was confused by the questions until Lin Jianguo mentioned how his daughter had been raised in comfort, speaking with the tone of entrusting someone with a great responsibility—then Shao Jiang realized what was going on. Realizing Lin Jianguo’s intentions, Shao Jiang quickly clarified his relationship with Lin Zhixiao.

Just then, his agent An Fei arrived, so he pulled her over and formally introduced her to Lin Jianguo, not only as his agent but also his girlfriend. Lin Jianguo looked awkward and found an excuse to leave. Jin Shi had thought it over and wanted to calmly talk with Yin Xi. However, Yin Xi refused to admit any fault and kept blaming Jin Shi for deceiving her in the first place. In the end, their conversation ended badly.

Jin Shi, utterly disappointed, officially announced their breakup—there was no chance of reconciliation. Gu Wei went to the school to see Lin Zhixiao, but she turned and ran as soon as she saw him and got knocked to the ground. Seeing her injured, Gu Wei immediately carried her to the hospital. When Lin Jianguo called and heard a nurse's voice, he realized it was his daughter and rushed over with Lin’s mother.

Meanwhile, as Gu Wei applied medicine, he listened to Lin Zhixiao’s explanation. Seeing her distressed, he felt the same. He had already decided not to go to Germany—he couldn’t bear to leave her behind unless they could go abroad together. Lin Zhixiao was moved to tears by his promise. Just as Gu Wei asked when she would give their relationship a proper status, Lin Jianguo and Lin’s mother burst in.

Startled, Lin Zhixiao jumped off the bed and explained she was injured, so she came to the hospital for treatment. Lin Jianguo didn’t listen and angrily accused Gu Wei of taking advantage of his daughter. Gu Wei, unwilling to hide anymore, simply held Lin Zhixiao’s hand and publicly announced their relationship. Everyone present was stunned. Lin Jianguo was so angry he couldn’t speak and stormed off.

Lin’s mother, on the other hand, was secretly delighted and gave them a thumbs-up to show her support, then was dragged away by Lin Jianguo. That night, back home, Lin Zhixiao cautiously watched her father’s expression and quickly darted into her room. Lin’s mother came to talk to her. While she didn’t oppose the relationship, she was concerned about the seven- or eight-year age gap and the vastly different life experiences.

She didn’t want her daughter to fall into a relationship out of impulse. After understanding her parents’ concerns, Lin Zhixiao repeatedly assured that she and Gu Wei were sincere and respectful. She hoped Lin’s mother could help persuade her father. Lin’s mother believed that as long as her daughter was happy, that was what mattered, so she mustered the courage to talk to Lin Jianguo in the living room.

In fact, Lin Jianguo just felt he didn’t know the surgeon well enough and feared his daughter might end up with the wrong person. But seeing how things stood, he realized he had to give them more chances to interact. Meanwhile, Gu Wei anxiously awaited news at home and finally relaxed when Lin Zhixiao replied that everything was fine. Xiao Shan, now Gu Xiao’s girlfriend, checked his phone and found all the messages clean, so she didn’t press further.

Little did she know, Gu Xiao had quietly switched to a second phone system, exited the flirty group chats, and deleted all the girls he was involved with. When Xiao Shan checked again, the phone was spotless, with only a few chats from his brothers and Gu Wei’s mother. Soon came the day of Lin Zhixiao’s performance. She delivered a stunning performance, making Gu Wei and her parents proud.

After the show, Gu Wei came up with flowers to congratulate her. An Fei also approached Lin Zhixiao, hoping to sign her for future collaboration and promised to turn her into an outstanding cellist. Because An Fei’s company was based in Germany, every newly signed artist needed to participate in a one-year exchange with a German orchestra. Lin Zhixiao and Gu Wei both smiled—it was just the opportunity they needed. Later, they celebrated on the hospital rooftop.

Gu Wei asked Lin Zhixiao to set a date so he could visit her parents and formally express his intention to marry her. Despite feeling unwell, Lin Jianguo sat at home brooding. He already disapproved of Lin Zhixiao dating Gu Wei, and now they were going to Germany together, which made him even more worried. Lin’s mother, being open-minded, successfully persuaded him to stop interfering with their relationship.

Lin Jianguo’s attitude gradually softened, and he finally agreed to let Gu Wei come over for dinner. Lin Zhixiao was overjoyed and immediately messaged Gu Wei. At that moment, Gu Wei was busy at the hospital and encountered a patient in urgent need of surgery. Since the patient’s family couldn’t be reached and there was no one to sign the consent form, the condition could quickly worsen. Considering the seriousness, Gu Wei put everything else aside and called the medical office to apply for emergency approval.

Thanks to Gu Wei's emergency treatment, the patient was finally out of danger. After giving a few more instructions to Dr. Du, he accompanied Lin Zhixiao to meet Xiao Shan. The meeting was set at the café run by Gu Xiao, but the place was pitch dark, seemingly already closed. Gu Wei had Lin Zhixiao hide behind him, ready to protect her in case anything happened.

The two pushed the door open and groped their way inside until Gu Xiao and Xiao Shan suddenly appeared, and the café lights turned on. Caught by surprise, Gu Wei got colored streamers on his coat and tossed it to Gu Xiao, telling him to clean it later. The four opened a bottle of wine to celebrate.

Xiao Shan teased that Lin Zhixiao and Gu Wei were about to enjoy a romantic trip abroad, so this dinner could be considered a farewell party. While Gu Wei and Gu Xiao stepped aside to talk, Lin Zhixiao and Xiao Shan hugged each other. They reminisced about the night they went to the bar. Without that fateful encounter, she wouldn't have met Gu Wei. Gu Xiao learned that Gu Wei would be visiting Lin Zhixiao's parents this week.

Though he acted calm, it was clear he was nervous. Xiao Shan offered to give Gu Wei some advice, and Lin Zhixiao, seeing his unease, gently helped him out of the situation. The four of them shared laughs and stories. After dinner, Gu Wei and Lin Zhixiao walked upstairs hand in hand. Lin Zhixiao didn’t intend to go inside, but Gu Wei pulled her into the room.

Standing before a large map, he showed her all the places they planned to visit and couldn't help but kiss her. Sadly, a phone call interrupted the tender moment. Lin Zhixiao had to go home, but before leaving, she gave Gu Wei one more reluctant kiss. Not long after Lin Zhixiao left, a call from the hospital made Gu Wei's face change drastically, and he rushed over.

Because he had performed surgery on a patient without waiting for the family to arrive—removing an organ to save the patient—it caused the patient's family to become furious. Although the hospital emphasized that the situation was urgent and surgery was the only option, the patient’s father refused to accept the explanation. Faced with the family's anger, Gu Wei patiently explained and finally calmed them down. However, the father wasn’t about to let it go easily.

He said if his son recovered, he wouldn’t pursue Gu Wei’s responsibility—for now. But if any complications arose, Gu Wei had better prepare for a lawsuit. Meanwhile, unaware that Gu Wei had gotten into a medical dispute, Lin Zhixiao happily took him shopping for a gift for Lin Jianguo. They found an expensive set of purple clay teapots. Gu Wei didn’t mind the price—he just wanted to please his future father-in-law. At that moment, Dr.

Du called to report that the patient had developed complications and the situation was serious. Deputy Director Gao met privately with Gu Wei, saying that the patient’s family was emotionally unstable. He decided to reassign the patient to Dr. Yan to avoid further issues. Gu Wei asked why the hospital hadn’t issued the visa certification for his trip to Germany. Seeing Deputy Director Gao’s troubled expression, he realized the Germany trip was completely off the table.

Gu Wei, who had already packed his medical books, now put them back on the shelves. His mother called to ask about the situation, but he gave vague answers. Lin Zhixiao came running in, mistaking his actions as preparation for the trip and started repacking the books herself. Seeing Lin Zhixiao’s excited face, Gu Wei felt conflicted. Just as he was about to bring up the matter, Lin Zhixiao received a call and had to leave.

The caller was An Fei, who asked to meet with Lin Zhixiao and signed the contract for the job in Germany. Dr. Du informed Gu Wei that the hospital had formed an investigation team, and online articles had begun surfacing against him. One article claimed he had once botched a surgery for his teacher, which led to the teacher’s death.

The patient's family had blown the issue up, attracting the attention of the Health Commission, putting even Deputy Director Gao in a tough spot. The patient’s father threatened to sue Gu Wei. Gu Wei stood in the corridor, silently enduring his accusations. Unexpectedly, Gao Xi had returned from abroad and came to support him. Other patients’ families, affected by the news, also began to doubt Gu Wei. Despite his reassurances, they still chose to switch to a different lead surgeon.

Gao Xi witnessed everything and sympathized with Gu Wei. She wanted to help him get through this crisis. Now, the internet was flooded with criticism of Gu Wei, and because the patient’s father had exposed his personal info, his phone was bombarded with vile messages. The overwhelming abuse pushed Gu Wei into self-doubt. The beliefs he once held dear now seemed like a joke. For a doctor, professional reputation and career are more important than life itself. Losing his patients’ trust was the most devastating blow.

Gu Wei sat dejectedly in his office, looking at the medical motto notebook his late teacher had given him, replaying recent events in his mind. Online public opinion had made his situation unbearable. The cyberattacks grew more intense, forcing him to retreat from practicing publicly. The department head, seeing the severe impact, told Gu Wei to step back from all duties, including patient consultations. Gu Wei, realizing he wasn’t in the right mental state, agreed to the arrangement.

At the same time, Lin Zhixiao returned home to find Lin Jianguo dressed in a formal suit, looking overly serious, which made her laugh. She walked toward the kitchen, suggesting that he change into something more casual—being overdressed didn’t suit him. Lin Zhixiao’s mother, busy cooking, had learned about Gu Wei’s cilantro allergy and made substitutions. She asked Lin Zhixiao to notify Gu Wei quickly.

As dinner time approached, Lin Zhixiao went downstairs to meet Gu Wei and found the gift they had bought earlier in the trunk. She hadn’t yet noticed his troubled expression. Gu Wei tried to speak several times, planning to tell her the truth, but Lin Jianguo came down too and urged them to come inside. Lin Zhixiao’s mother had prepared a full meal for Gu Wei, and Lin Jianguo bombarded him with questions about his background and education.

Satisfied with the answers, he eased up. Gu Wei wanted to use the opportunity to talk about his job situation, but before he could speak, Lin Jianguo asked when he planned to marry Lin Zhixiao. Gu Wei was absent-minded and didn’t respond right away. Lin Zhixiao nudged him, pulling him back to the moment. After a brief hesitation, Gu Wei explained that marriage was a major life decision.

Lin Zhixiao was still young, and his own job was unstable, so they needed more time to plan. Lin Jianguo’s expression turned grim—clearly unhappy with that response. Lin Zhixiao’s mother quickly tried to smooth things over, and Lin Zhixiao chimed in, trying to change the subject. But Lin Jianguo pressed on, asking Gu Wei to promise in front of the elders that he would take good care of Lin Zhixiao. This request was met with silence.

Seeing Gu Wei distracted, Lin Zhixiao thought it was because of work stress. She gently held his hand to offer comfort. To her surprise, Gu Wei pulled his hand back and solemnly told Lin Jianguo that he couldn't make such a promise. His words chilled the atmosphere. Lin Jianguo, face darkened, said if Gu Wei had no intention of caring for Lin Zhixiao, then there was no point in coming for dinner.

Gu Wei gave a bitter smile, agreed with him, and got up to leave without saying another word. Lin Zhixiao knew Gu Wei wouldn’t act out of emotion for no reason, so she rushed after him, eager to know what was really going on. But Gu Wei refused to explain, and their relationship came to an abrupt end.

Even though Lin Jianguo demanded that his daughter break up with Gu Wei, Lin Zhixiao still defended him in front of her parents, then went back to her room in tears. That night, Xiao Shan ran into one of Gu Xiao’s friends. As Gu Xiao hadn’t shown up, she called him, but his phone was off. Gu Xiao had lost a lot of money in a failed investment with friends and had mortgaged the café.

Unable to face Xiao Shan, he went home to his father. Gu Xiao’s father knew him well—he wouldn’t come home without a reason. Seeing through his intentions, he mocked him coldly. Gu Xiao humbled himself, begging for financial help and promising to do anything, even go abroad the next day, if his father agreed to invest. Seeing his son so changed, Gu Xiao’s father softened and eventually agreed to lend him the money.

After receiving it, Gu Xiao left without a word and went abroad with his father. Xiao Shan, unaware of the café situation, called again only to find the phone turned off. Gu Wei packed his things and moved out overnight, turning off his phone as well. Before leaving, he went to the hospital to see Dr. Du. Meanwhile, Lin Zhixiao couldn’t reach Gu Wei and cried her eyes swollen.

She went to his apartment in the morning and knocked, but there was no response. Her mother happened to be returning from outside, and they went to a nearby breakfast shop. Lin Zhixiao, holding back tears, told her mother she wouldn’t change her plans to go abroad because of Gu Wei—but as she spoke, she couldn’t help but cry. Deputy Director Gao also couldn’t contact Gu Wei, so he asked Dr. Du for any clues. Dr.

Du recalled seeing Gu Wei recently and remembered some confusing words he said, which only deepened his concern. Deputy Director Gao gave Dr. Du half a day off to find Gu Wei as soon as possible. Gao Xi also followed. The higher-ups sent an investigation team to the hospital for a meeting. Gu Wei’s absence angered the patient’s family, who accused him of being guilty and ignoring authority. Dr. Yan said their words were too harsh and that no one should humiliate a doctor before a formal conclusion, but the patient’s father remained aggressive.

Due to the patient’s father's aggressive attitude and disrespectful insults toward the entire medical profession, Dr. Yan could no longer remain silent. He publicly berated the father for harshly attacking Gu Wei without solid evidence, even calling him an unethical doctor and thereby tarnishing the noble belief shared by all doctors to save lives. His words left the patient’s parents speechless, and everyone else in the room stayed silent. After expressing his true feelings, Dr.

Yan placed his badge on the table, declaring that he would accept any report or complaint, and left the conference room, citing a surgery. Xiao Shan went to Lin Zhixiao’s school. After learning about her recent situation, she sighed in sympathy, as they shared similar misfortunes in love. They poured out their frustrations and finally decided to turn off their phones.

With no interruptions, Lin Zhixiao and Xiao Shan indulged themselves at the shopping mall and KTV, venting out all their unhappiness. Meanwhile, Gao Xi and Dr. Du were looking for Gu Wei but to no avail. Suddenly, Gao Xi thought of Lin Zhixiao, reasoning that given her relationship with Gu Wei, she would likely know his whereabouts. Dr.

Du tried calling Lin Zhixiao but couldn’t reach her, so he waited downstairs with Gao Xi until late at night, when Lin Zhixiao finally appeared. After Dr. Du explained the situation, Lin Zhixiao finally learned what had happened to Gu Wei. She rushed to the guesthouse and indeed found him nearby. He looked lonely and worn out, making one’s heart ache.

Yet Lin Zhixiao rushed up and kicked him, furiously scolding him as selfish, cowardly, and pathetic—always choosing to run away when things got tough. For the past thirty years, Gu Wei’s life had been smooth, but every time he encountered setbacks, he disregarded others’ feelings and ignored potential solutions. Likewise, Lin Zhixiao felt humiliated in front of her father because of him and judged him to be a failure as a boyfriend.

But remembering Gu Wei’s ideals, Lin Zhixiao was willing to believe that there was still hope for him as a doctor. She told him to take care of the situation first and then come find her, before turning away and leaving in a taxi. Gu Wei, as if waking from a dream, ran after her, but the car sped off. Watching Lin Zhixiao leave, he felt heartbroken.

In the doctors’ office, Gao Xi had called Gu Wei dozens of times with no response. Dr. Yan, sympathizing with her, was about to speak up when Gu Wei suddenly appeared at the door. Thanks to Lin Zhixiao’s words, Gu Wei had come to his senses and was ready to solve the problem. He began preparing the documents needed by the investigation team and said he would need cooperation from Dr. Yan, Gao Xi, and the others. Though Dr.

Yan appeared displeased with Gu Wei, deep down he wanted to help. At that moment, Xiao Wei ran in to report that a patient was suffering massive abdominal bleeding and was in critical condition. The patient’s father begged Dr. Yan to save his son, but since Gu Wei had performed the first surgery, Dr. Yan wasn’t familiar with the case.

Gu Wei mustered his courage and volunteered to do the surgery, pledging his career as a guarantee that he would do his best. Others also persuaded the father, who realized he could not afford to hesitate any longer. He finally agreed and even knelt down, begging Gu Wei to save his son. After a long wait, the patient’s family received the good news that the surgery was successful.

The father’s attitude changed instantly, and the son, upon regaining consciousness, wanted to see him. Gu Wei came to the bedside and gave detailed instructions on post-operative care. The father thought Gu Wei might ask him to withdraw the lawsuit, but upon seeing how he cared for his son, he was deeply moved. Outside the room, Gao Xi and Dr. Du eagerly asked Gu Wei about the situation.

When they learned that the family had not expressed anything, they became increasingly anxious. Gu Wei was already prepared to face the consequences. He knew he had made no legal or procedural mistakes in the surgery and believed that justice would prevail. Everyone was happy to see Gu Wei back on his feet. Lin Zhixiao, watching from a distance, finally felt relieved and quietly left the hospital.

That night, Gu Wei went to see Lin Zhixiao and knocked on her door. But Lin Zhixiao remained cold, insisting that they had broken up and that he had failed as a boyfriend, before closing the door on him. Gu Wei kept knocking until Lin’s mother opened the door. She refused to let him see Lin Zhixiao and advised him not to come again, citing Lin Jianguo’s health. Gu Wei understood and nodded sadly.

Lin’s mother comforted her daughter and looked back worriedly before leaving. Lin Zhixiao turned away, tore up her overseas study plan in anger, then pieced it back together and placed it in her book. Neither of them slept that night. Gu Xiao had been missing for days, and the staff hadn’t received their pay from the previous month. Rumors spread that the café might go bankrupt.

Xiao Shan walked in, promising that everyone would be paid and that she didn’t want to hear any more gossip. She then sent Gu Xiao a message, though she knew he wouldn’t respond. Since their breakup, Yin Xi and Jin Shi had become strangers. But that day at the library, Jin Shi approached Yin Xi, hoping for a serious talk, only to be rejected. Meanwhile, Gu Wei, heading to work, left breakfast for Lin Zhixiao. She heard the knock, but no one was outside—only a paper bag with sandwiches hanging on the doorknob.

The issue between the doctor and patient had been resolved, but Lin Zhixiao’s attitude toward Gu Wei remained unchanged. She wanted him to understand his mistake. Unfortunately, Gu Wei didn’t realize this and tried to handle the cold war conservatively—apologizing without reflecting. Lin Zhixiao visited Shao Jiang’s company, determined to go to Germany. Unexpectedly, Gu Wei showed up and persistently waited at the door from morning until noon. Female colleagues noticed him and gossiped.

Lin Zhixiao, worried about the impact, went out to ask him to stop pestering her. Shao Jiang also came to advise him to leave. Seeing Gu Wei’s dejected back, Lin Zhixiao felt especially uncomfortable. Shao Jiang knew she couldn’t let go but was pretending not to care.

Lin Zhixiao didn’t want to talk about Gu Wei anymore, so she changed the subject and asked about Shao Jiang and An Fei’s relationship, sincerely hoping he’d find happiness with someone he could spend his life with. Encouraged by Lin Zhixiao’s words, Shao Jiang reevaluated his feelings and invited An Fei to dinner. Meanwhile, when Lin Zhixiao returned home, her parents were heading out for a walk.

Her mother noticed the overseas documents in her hand and worried that she was upset. Lin Zhixiao pretended to be cheerful and went back to pack. Trying to mend their relationship, Gu Wei sent flowers to Lin Zhixiao, but she threw them at the door. That plan failed, so Gu Wei came up with another: he applied a hot towel to his face, slapped himself to look feverish, and went to borrow fever medicine from Lin Zhixiao.

She didn’t believe he was sick and mocked him for sending flowers earlier. No matter how he explained, she remained firm and reiterated their breakup, telling him not to bother her again. Disappointed, Gu Wei saw a glass cup on the table and was filled with renewed hope. Sure enough, Lin Zhixiao came by after hearing a sound. Seeing broken glass all over the floor and Gu Wei looking dazed, she panicked.

Gu Wei hugged her and pretended to be weak, lying on the bed with her help. While she got water, he secretly swapped the fever medicine with vitamins. Lin Zhixiao found the tablets strange but didn’t think too much. After everything was settled, she prepared to leave, but Gu Wei grabbed her hand, pitifully asking for porridge. Since he seemed ill, she agreed to cook. As soon as she stepped out, Gu Wei perked up and smiled smugly.

However, when he had been switching the pills, some had spilled on the bed. Though he tried to hide them under the blanket, Lin Zhixiao eventually noticed. After discovering he was faking illness, Gu Wei chased after her to explain. But Lin Zhixiao beat him to it, saying she was going to Germany and that there would be no more chances between them. Hearing her resolute words, Gu Wei gave up on the relationship and wished her well.

Lin Zhixiao held back tears as she left. Gu Wei stood there for a long time, remembering their sweet moments, feeling both angry and sad, and removed all the pins from their memory board. Elsewhere, Lin Zhixiao stared at a cola bottle with a love message and took off the Buddhist prayer bracelet, reminiscing the good times. At that moment, a lawyer arrived at the café representing Gu Xiao’s father, revealing that Gu Xiao had mortgaged the café.

Xiao Shan was shocked and only understood why Gu Xiao hadn’t answered his phone after checking the contract. Yin Xi ran into Jin Shi again at the library and learned he had signed with a company in Shanghai and would move after graduation. Jin Shi, still hopeful, tried to talk to her, but Yin Xi remained tough and unwilling to compromise, failing to cherish their relationship. Shao Jiang asked Lin Zhixiao how her application was going and sensed her hesitation.

After much thought, she decided not to go to Germany. Even if she left the country, her heart would still be here. An Fei respected her decision and empathized. Lin Zhixiao saw that the doctor-patient dispute was still trending online and mistakenly thought the family hadn’t withdrawn the complaint. She rushed to the hospital and, through Dr. Du, found the patient’s room. Dr. Du feared conflict and hurried to find Gu Wei.

Inside, Lin Zhixiao met the elderly couple caring for the patient and introduced herself directly. She knew her words might not change anything but still wanted to try. She spoke about her father’s hospital experience, from tests to diagnosis, and how Gu Wei had seriously suspected Lin Jianguo might have stomach cancer. No one wants to believe a loved one is seriously ill, but denial changes nothing.

Lin Zhixiao hoped to help them understand that Gu Wei was a responsible and dedicated doctor, who had to withstand public scrutiny and internal pressure from the hospital. She added that Gu Wei was far from perfect and had many flaws, but he always selflessly cared for his patients, even at his own expense. Gu Wei, standing at the door, was deeply moved by every word.

Before Lin Zhixiao could finish, he took her out and told her the patient’s family had withdrawn the lawsuit. Knowing Gu Wei was no longer at risk, Lin Zhixiao finally relaxed. After all the misunderstandings, they were finally able to confront their feelings and reconcile, returning to their loving state. Meanwhile, Gao Xi visited Dr. Yan to thank him for changing her opinion of him, now looking at him with admiration.

After reconciling, the two became inseparable again, affectionate and loving. In fact, Gu Wei deeply admired Lin Jianguo and Ms. Li for being able to support each other. However, what he had been exposed to since childhood was only about learning to take responsibility and saving lives—he had never learned how to maintain a relationship. Through this recent incident, he was inspired by Lin Zhixiao in many ways and began to regard her as true family.

Moreover, Lin Zhixiao did not want to experience another breakup. She felt that kind of pain was worse than death, as if the world had lost all its color. So, she resolutely gave up the opportunity to study abroad and firmly made her final choice: no matter whether Gu Wei remains a doctor or not, she would always stay by his side.

In order to reassure Lin Zhixiao, Gu Wei showed her the results of the hospital’s investigation, proving that the crisis had passed. Lin Zhixiao was overjoyed and hugged Gu Wei tightly, feeling everything was turning for the better, and she spent the night at his place. The next morning, Gu Wei cuddled Lin Zhixiao, whispering sweet nothings as they started a new day of playful affection.

Since Lin Zhixiao's birthday was the next day, Gu Wei decided to celebrate it himself and even booked a special restaurant. Lin Zhixiao dressed up carefully at home and was just about to leave when her parents surprised her with a lavish birthday dinner, hoping she would stay. Not wanting to disappoint her parents, Lin Zhixiao texted Gu Wei to explain the situation. Gu Wei understood completely and said he was willing to keep waiting at the restaurant.

The food was quickly devoured, and Lin’s mother went to the kitchen to bring out the cake. Since there was no lighter at home, Lin Zhixiao didn’t mind and simply made a wish over the cake. Meanwhile, Gu Wei received another message from Lin Zhixiao, learning that she still couldn’t leave. He continued to wait at the restaurant. As time passed, Gu Wei reminisced about their time together—from the beginning of their relationship to the arguments and misunderstandings.

Each moment brought different feelings and deepened their appreciation for each other. Though Lin Zhixiao was younger than Gu Wei, he realized she had always been the one accompanying and supporting him as he started anew. Before he knew it, the restaurant had closed, and Lin Zhixiao still hadn’t shown up—not because she deliberately broke their promise, but because her parents wouldn’t let her leave.

While Lin Jianguo was away, Lin’s mother solemnly asked if she had reconciled with Gu Wei. Lin Zhixiao didn’t hide the truth and admitted they were back together, explaining there was a reason for their previous breakup and that Gu Wei was not as bad as she had imagined. Lin Zhixiao had made her decision after careful thought and hoped for her mother’s support.

Knowing her daughter was strong-willed, Lin’s mother silently accepted Gu Wei as her future son-in-law and urged her daughter to go on the date. But since the restaurant had already closed, the date was ruined. Lin Zhixiao hesitated briefly, then decided to wait for Gu Wei at his home. When Gu Wei came back upstairs with the cake, he found Lin Zhixiao asleep on the couch. The sight filled him with warmth.

Before Lin Zhixiao, the house was just a place to stay, but now it felt like a true home. Half-asleep, Lin Zhixiao sensed someone holding her. When she opened her eyes and saw that familiar, gentle smile, she immediately perked up and threw herself into his arms. Gu Wei expressed his love without reservation, and Lin Zhixiao responded joyfully, making him feel like his heart skipped a beat. Gu Wei jokingly explained her skipped heartbeat with medical terms.

Since it was their first birthday together, even though the date was ruined, Gu Wei still cooked longevity noodles himself and prepared the cake and candles. Lin Zhixiao made a wish with her hands clasped, and after blowing out the candles, Gu Wei eagerly asked what she had wished for. Besides wishing for her family’s health and safety, she hoped to be with Gu Wei forever. After eating the cake, they lingered in the kitchen.

Gu Wei hugged Lin Zhixiao from behind as they washed the dishes together. Relaxing on the couch afterward, Lin Zhixiao noticed Gu Wei’s chapped lips and offered to apply lip balm. But Gu Wei, being the typical straightforward guy, refused anything cosmetic, saying he could just drink more water.

Upon hearing that Gu Wei spent only about two hours a day with his water bottle outside of sleep, Lin Zhixiao used her math skills to argue that drinking water every fifteen minutes was impossible. She insisted on applying the lip balm for him and demonstrated first—only for Gu Wei to lean in and kiss her. As it got late, Lin Zhixiao planned to go home, but Gu Wei was reluctant to let her leave.

He regretted not giving her a memorable birthday and was also worried that they would have to date secretly in the future. Lin Zhixiao said that if she wanted her father’s blessing, she would have to stay the night openly—unless they were already married. Her words awakened Gu Wei, who then proposed using a soda can tab as a ring, kneeling on one knee.

Taking the chance, Gu Wei admitted he had first taken an interest in her, and as time passed, he unknowingly fell in love. He was grateful for their fateful encounter and love.

While modern young people often seek passionate love, Gu Wei preferred steady companionship—like Lin Jianguo and Ms. Li supporting each other through life. Gu Wei couldn’t promise a smooth future, but he pledged lifelong loyalty. Lin Zhixiao was moved to tears, and her simple “I do” united two pure and sincere hearts. That night, Lin Zhixiao sat on the bed staring at the can ring, replaying the proposal, unsure if it was all real.

Then Gu Wei suddenly called and knocked on the wall—the muffled sound made it feel like he was right beside her. Over the phone, Gu Wei called Lin Zhixiao “wife,” and she shyly responded, wishing each other good night. The next morning, Gu Wei was in a great mood when he arrived at the hospital. He asked Dr. Du about where to design an engagement ring and announced his upcoming marriage.

Gao Xi couldn’t hide her sadness and spoke with Gu Wei on the rooftop at noon, gradually letting go of her feelings for him. Gu Wei hoped Gao Xi would also find someone who loved her, as only mutual affection leaves the deepest impression. Gao Xi sincerely wished him well. But upon returning to her office and seeing a document on her desk, her face quickly darkened.

During dinner with Xiao Shan and Yin Xi, Lin Zhixiao shared that Gu Wei had proposed the night before. But the can ring was just too ridiculous. While Xiao Shan was genuinely happy for her best friend finding a home, her own relationship with Gu Xiao seemed hopeless. Upon learning that Gu Xiao had mortgaged his café, Lin Zhixiao was indignant on Xiao Shan’s behalf and suggested she call Gu Wei to get in touch with Gu Xiao.

But Xiao Shan didn’t think it necessary—she was never one to cling. After the gathering, Xiao Shan returned home alone and saw the once-lively café now deserted, quietly mourning the past. That night, Gu Wei suddenly proposed they set a wedding date and arrange for both families to meet, planning to register after Lin Zhixiao’s graduation. Lin Zhixiao didn’t notice any emotional changes in him and happily agreed, then informed her father of the marriage plans.

Lin Jianguo’s face instantly turned stern and silent upon hearing the news, while Lin’s mother was all smiles. Meanwhile, Gu Wei also told his parents he had decided to marry Lin Zhixiao and only hoped for their blessing, not opposition. The sudden news caught Lin Jianguo off guard, but after hearing his daughter’s heartfelt thoughts, he agreed to meet Gu Wei’s parents. Lin Zhixiao was overjoyed and in tears, surprised at how easily her father agreed.

Before the family meeting, Lin Zhixiao felt extremely nervous. She asked Gu Wei what kind of girls his parents liked, but Gu Wei comforted her not to worry. When she went to the living room for water, she found her father still reading there. He called her over and handed her cards detailing household expenses and property fees, giving her many instructions—almost like he was preparing for the worst. Finally, the day arrived for the family meeting.

But Gu Wei’s mother felt Lin Zhixiao was too young and suggested they wait two more years—implying disapproval of the engagement. The atmosphere turned awkward. Lin Jianguo, unlike his usual fiery self, calmly and politely expressed his views. He acknowledged that while his daughter was young, she was more mature than many her age and had always strived for her dreams without giving up. In his view, if the two truly loved each other, the parents should give their blessing.

No one can guarantee a marriage will last forever. The passion of dating fades, and it’s the ordinary routines of life that require someone to hold up the home. Lin Jianguo’s words moved Gu Wei’s parents, changing their initial rigid impressions. In the end, they agreed to the marriage. The atmosphere turned joyful, and Lin Zhixiao was so touched she cried again.

After the meeting, she happily walked home with Gu Wei, still amazed that her father had changed so much. But Gu Wei felt heavy-hearted. He tried several times to tell the truth but swallowed the words every time. Lin Zhixiao sensed something was wrong and ran to find him—only to learn that Lin Jianguo’s condition had worsened and the cancer had spread from his stomach to his liver.

Gu Wei had studied Lin Jianguo’s test results with Gao Xi and others, seeking a stable treatment plan, but after intense discussion, they all concluded surgery was pointless and only conservative treatment remained. Lin Jianguo’s life had entered the final countdown. Despite having the best medical conditions, there was nothing more they could do. Gu Wei contacted top medical experts from home and abroad repeatedly, seeking opinions and facing disappointment again and again. Accompanied by Gu Wei, Lin Zhixiao entered the hospice ward and finally understood his well-intentioned efforts.

After coming out of the hospice ward, Lin Zhixiao recalled the heartwarming scene she had just witnessed and finally understood Gu Wei’s well-intentioned efforts. He knew that no matter how difficult it was to accept reality, it would not change the final outcome. To help Lin Zhixiao calm down, Gu Wei shared his experiences abroad and used them to offer her comfort.

When Gu Wei was studying abroad, there was a classmate named Frank who was always optimistic and wore a smile. Eventually, Frank passed away from a blood disorder. However, his parents didn’t grieve in the usual way. Instead, they invited all of Frank’s classmates to the funeral, where everyone took turns sharing their thoughts about him. Some thought Frank was warm-hearted, others believed he was a little petty.

These various perspectives gradually made Frank appear more multidimensional and gave his parents a deeper understanding. As the funeral came to a close, Frank’s mother read a eulogy taken from his diary. It expressed that while we cannot control life and death, we can face our experiences calmly, cherish the present, and always hold hope for the future. Only by doing so can we part without regrets when the time comes.

Inspired by Frank’s story, Lin Zhixiao decided to pull herself together. She cooked breakfast for her parents and brought out her carefully prepared wedding plans, asking her father to help with the arrangements. From then on, the family of three lived in harmony, enjoying each other’s company more and more. However, Lin Zhixiao kept having nightmares, in which she saw her father drifting farther away.

One morning, she rushed into her parents’ room, lay between them, and fondly reminisced about her childhood. In the living room, Lin Zhixiao and her parents prepared many wedding invitations. Lin Jianguo, who had always been strict about handwriting, criticized Lin Zhixiao for her messy script. Lin Zhixiao didn’t mind, saying it was her big day and no one would focus on such trivial things to make trouble. Gu Wei came by to give Lin Jianguo a medical checkup.

After the exam, Lin Jianguo asked Gu Wei if he had told Lin Zhixiao about his condition. In truth, even if Gu Wei hadn’t said anything, she would have found out eventually. Lin Jianguo sighed, thinking about how the baby he had carried out of the delivery room was now about to become someone’s wife.

Though Lin Jianguo had once had many opinions about Gu Wei, after everything they had been through, he only wanted Gu Wei to make a sincere promise—from his heart. Gu Wei solemnly declared that from the moment they began dating, he had regarded Lin Zhixiao as his wife. No matter how unpredictable life may be, he would always protect her.

Relieved by Gu Wei’s vow, Lin Jianguo went grocery shopping with his wife, leaving the young couple to spend time alone. Lin Zhixiao felt her father’s condition was improving and believed that if he stayed in good spirits, a miracle might happen. After Gu Wei returned to the hospital, Lin Zhixiao delivered a wedding invitation to Xiao Shan. Since Gu Xiao was in Australia, Gu Wei sent him a digital version.

As soon as Gu Xiao received it, he took the next available flight back to China. When he arrived at the café, he discovered Xiao Shan had bought the place. Now the café owner and manager, Xiao Shan had posted a “Now Hiring” sign at the door. Gu Xiao, hoping to stay, noticed it. But Xiao Shan gave no response, making Gu Xiao feel all hope was lost.

He turned to leave, silent and lonely, when Xiao Shan suddenly spoke up, reminding him he’d have to pass an interview if he really wanted to work there. That day was also when Lin Zhixiao was scheduled to choose her wedding dress. She and her parents had breakfast at home first. But Lin Jianguo’s expression seemed off—his illness was acting up again.

Lin Zhixiao made an excuse to go to her room, and sure enough, Lin Jianguo rushed to the bathroom to vomit. He looked extremely frail. Her mother was anxious, on the verge of tears but afraid to cry aloud for fear of alarming their daughter. With her mother supporting him, Lin Jianguo forced himself to endure the discomfort. Lin Zhixiao also chose not to expose the truth. None of them dared touch the unspoken subject.

Later, accompanied by Gu Wei and her parents, Lin Zhixiao went to try on her wedding dress. She looked radiant in the gown. Gu Wei stepped forward to greet her, and the two embraced sweetly. Lin Jianguo recorded the moment on his phone, capturing the warm, joyful atmosphere. Lin Zhixiao suggested her father pick out a suit as well.

But as soon as he and his wife entered the fitting room, her mother broke down in tears, overwhelmed by his increasingly frail appearance. Lin Zhixiao, too, couldn’t hold back her sorrow and collapsed into Gu Wei’s arms, weeping.

Lin Zhixiao cried uncontrollably in Gu Wei’s arms, while her mother also broke down in the fitting room. She had just tied a bow tie for Lin Jianguo, but her emotions still got the best of her. Lin Jianguo was also deeply affected but silently patted his wife to console her. The whole family visited the wedding venue. During a break, Lin Zhixiao shared an ice cream with her father and excitedly talked about the future.

The moment was beautiful and heartwarming, but it couldn’t last. With a loving yet serious expression, Lin Jianguo reminded his daughter that she needed to grow up quickly and walk her own path from now on. But his words made Lin Zhixiao extremely upset. She stubbornly insisted that her father would stay with her forever—and even be there for her future children. Tears streamed down her face, making her voice choked with emotion.

Lin Jianguo quickly handed her a tissue and changed the subject to help her rehearse the wedding. The two walked hand in hand back to the venue, their silhouettes under the sunset incredibly touching. As the wedding preparations intensified, Lin Zhixiao struggled to write her vows. Xiao Shan and Yin Xi couldn’t help her. Out of ideas, Lin Zhixiao asked Xiao Shan to message Gu Xiao and try to find out Gu Wei’s vows through him.

Gu Xiao felt the task was daunting. He fumbled with excuses in front of Gu Wei, who quickly saw through his intentions. Gu Wei took his written vows and forbade Gu Xiao from getting close to them. With the mission failed, Gu Xiao passed the challenge back to Lin Zhixiao. That night, she and Gu Wei talked on the phone, nervous and excited about the next day.

On the wedding day, before the guests arrived, Lin Zhixiao rehearsed on stage, holding Lin Jianguo’s arm. She then realized she had forgotten to bring her vows. Yin Xi and Xiao Shan split up to search for them. They saw Shao Jiang arrive with his girlfriend, and Jin Shi’s appearance made her uncomfortable. Friends and family gathered at the wedding venue. Led by her father, Lin Zhixiao exchanged heartfelt vows with Gu Wei.

Every word reflected their memories and their promise to grow old together. Even if they never traveled the world, their hearts were full of hope. She only wished that, when they were old, she would never regret marrying Gu Wei. Overcome with emotion, Lin Zhixiao nearly forgot the vows she had written. But the words she spoke in that moment came straight from the heart.

After the ceremony, Gu Wei found her written vows and read them, leaving Lin Zhixiao blushing. As the guests departed, Lin Jianguo left his daughter a letter before he left. Lin Zhixiao and Gu Wei read it in their wedding room, moved by the deep love between the lines. In the letter, Lin Jianguo reminisced about their family’s past. He remembered when Lin Zhixiao was a mischievous little girl, always turning the house upside down.

She pretended to obey his rules but secretly challenged him at every turn. After recalling many fond memories, Lin Jianguo expressed gratitude that his daughter had met Gu Wei. Their daily life, though ordinary, was filled with laughter and joy. At the end of the letter, Lin Jianguo emphasized again that he couldn’t accompany Lin Zhixiao for the rest of her life—because everyone in this world can only walk part of the way with another.

In the end, she would have to carry on by herself. Seven years passed in a flash. Lin Zhixiao and Gu Wei were still deeply in love. Their son was now old enough to run and jump, and he was absolutely adorable. Occasionally, the couple would rewatch their wedding video and open the letters Lin Jianguo had left. Each letter was filled with his blessings and reminders.

Since getting married, Gu Wei had become increasingly strict in the eyes of his colleagues. He rarely smiled and was fully dedicated to his work. Perhaps the pain of losing his father-in-law to cancer made him more disciplined. But he had never wavered in his promise to always make Lin Zhixiao happy. One evening at sunset, Gu Wei and Lin Zhixiao played on the grass with their son. Watching him run around like the wind, they were filled with joy.

As parents, they finally understood the hardship and responsibility of raising a child. The young couple walked hand in hand with their son into the sunset, becoming part of that moment’s warmth and beauty.

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